Department for Transport

Liverpool Airport: Health

Kim Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been carried out on the potential effect of increased pollution, noise and emissions from Liverpool's proposed airport expansion on people's physical and mental health.

Kim Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of proposed (a) Liverpool and (b) Heathrow airport expansions on (i) levels of UK carbon emissions and (ii) the ability of the Government to meet its targets on reducing those emissions.

Robert Courts: The Government is supportive of airport expansion where it can be delivered within our environmental obligations. We welcome the efforts of airports across the UK to come forward with ambitious proposals to invest in their infrastructure.Every development proposal is judged by the relevant planning authority, taking careful account of all relevant considerations, including environmental impacts and proposed mitigations.The aviation sector has a critical role to play in delivering the UK’s net zero commitment. In July 2021, we published the Jet Zero Consultation which set out our vision for the aviation sector to reach net zero by 2050. Our consultation includes scenarios that achieve our net zero target by focussing on new fuels and technology. We are carefully considering consultation responses in the development of our final Jet Zero Strategy which we aim to publish later this year.

Motorways: Speed Limits

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing the use of variable speed limits when long stretches of roadworks are taking place on motorways in order that motorists are not obliged to travel at an unnecessarily low speed at times when no work is taking place.

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing variable speed limits along long stretches of roadworks on motorways so that motorists travelling at times when no work is taking place, such as evenings and weekends, are not required to travel at low speed.

Trudy Harrison: On the Strategic Road Network (SRN), which comprises our motorways and principal A roads, keeping disruption from road works and traffic management to a minimum is an important priority for National Highways (NH). NH keeps the maximum number of lanes open at busy times and carries out the vast majority of work requiring extra restrictions either overnight or at the weekend, when traffic flows are lowest. Where works are undertaken overnight, NH is often able to keep the speed limit at 70mph.Reduced traffic volumes are not the only factor when determining the appropriate speed for road works. Visibility and carriageway widths, amongst other things, need to be considered to ensure the safety of road workers and road users.NH has increased the speed limit through most road works from 50mph to 60mph and uses more contraflows on its schemes, which can reduce the need for closures. This has led to improved journey times and saved 3,800,000 vehicle hours and £63 million.

Highway Code: Publicity

Sir Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to convene a stakeholder group to develop a public education and awareness campaign in relation to the new Highway Code; and if he will include motorcycle stakeholders in that process.

Trudy Harrison: We established a Highway Code communications working group consisting of a broad range of stakeholders to ensure we develop communications that are fit for purpose and help to raise awareness of the proposed alterations to The Highway Code. The group met for the first time on the 30 June 2021.As motorcyclists are amongst our priority groups, officials have regular meetings with motorcycle organisations at which education and awareness of The Highway Code, along with wider strategic issues, are discussed.

Travel: Gender Based Violence and Sexual Harassment

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of compulsory training on sexual harassment and gender-based violence for workers in passenger transport to better equip transport workers to report and takes steps against sexual harassment.

Trudy Harrison: Everyone has the right to feel safe when travelling and using public spaces. Ensuring front-line transport staff have the right training to deter unwanted sexual behaviour and support victims is an important element of this.The Department works closely with transport partners on a range of initiatives to address the problems faced by vulnerable groups on the transport network. For instance, the Rail Delivery Group has developed a specific sexual harassment awareness training package which is being delivered to frontline rail staff across operators.However, we know that we must do more, which is why I am looking forward to receiving DfT’s Women’s Safety Champions, Laura Shoaf and Anne Shaw’s, independent recommendations on how we can improve safety on the transport network soon.We are determined to improve the safety of our transport network and will seriously consider how best to deliver on their recommendations.

Travel Restrictions: Coronavirus

Damien Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ease international travel restrictions on UK nationals.

Robert Courts: On 24 January the Secretary of State for Transport announced that, thanks to the success of the UK’s vaccine and booster rollout, the government will reduce travel restrictions ensuring a more proportionate system is in place for passengers.Therefore, from 4am on 11 February eligible fully vaccinated arrivals will no longer have to undertake a post-arrival Lateral Flow test. Self-isolation and day 8 tests will also be removed for arrivals who are not recognised as fully vaccinated. Although the PLF will still be required for all travellers, it will also be simplified to reflect our more streamlined system.The changes mean that the UK has one of the most free-flowing borders across Europe and the simplification of travel rules comes just before half term, providing welcome news for families looking to travel abroad during the school holidays, as well as an extra boost for the tourism industry.

Mid-Cheshire Line: Rolling Stock

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of upgrading the rolling stock on the Mid-Cheshire railway line.

Wendy Morton: It is a matter for operators to deploy rolling stock appropriate for the services that they operate to meet the needs of passengers. The Department has not made any assessment in respect of changing the rolling stock on the Mid-Cheshire line.

Travel: Coronavirus

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his oral contribution of 16 December 2021, Official Report, Column 1137, if he will place in the Library a copy of his correspondence with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in relation to the PCR testing market; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Courts: The concerns raised on 16 December 2021 in relation to the PCR testing market have been passed to the Department for Health and Social Care. The Department for Health and Social Care continue to monitor all testing providers listed on gov.uk. Daily checks are undertaken to ensure that providers are meeting minimum standards and providers have been removed where there are repeat offences. The Competition and Markets Authority is also investigating suspected breaches of consumer protection law in the PCR travel test market.The Government announced on 24 January that from 11 February all eligible fully vaccinated arrivals will face no tests and unvaccinated arrivals will only require a pre-departure test and post-arrival PCR test. This will significantly reduce the cost and complexity for passengers.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy Company Obligation

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will commit to protecting the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will commit to the planned uplift of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4); and if he will ensure the implementation of ECO4 in April 2022 as stated in the Energy white paper.

Greg Hands: The Government have committed to extending the Energy Company Obligation Scheme from 2022 to 2026,​ boosting its value to £1billion a year.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many paediatric doses of the covid-19 vaccine have been ordered as 25 January 2022.

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many paediatric doses of the covid-19 vaccine have been received in the UK as of 25 January 2022.

George Freeman: The precise details of our vaccine orders and deliveries are commercially sensitive, but we have sufficient vaccines available to enable us to meet current, and any future updates to JCVI guidance. We continue to plan for future scenarios.

Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much of the £20 billion in funding for research and development announced in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 will be allocated to TB treatments and vaccines.

George Freeman: Following the Spending Review, BEIS is currently working to set detailed R&D budgets through to 2024/25. Further details of how this funding will be allocated will be announced in due course.

Job Creation: West Midlands

Colleen Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support job creation schemes in (a) Coventry North East constituency, (b) Coventry and (c) the West Midlands.

Lee Rowley: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Energy Company Obligation

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department’s proposal to amend or end the Energy Company Obligation on (a) fuel poor households and (b) the UK’s climate obligations.

Greg Hands: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Royal Mail: Conditions of Employment

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to take steps to help protect jobs in the Royal Mail.

Paul Scully: Operational matters, including decisions on staffing levels and workforce structure, are the direct responsibility of Royal Mail’s management. The Government is not involved in the operational decisions of Royal Mail, a private company. Collective redundancy legislation requires employers proposing to make 20 or more employees redundant from one establishment in a 90-day period to consult employees or their representatives. This must include consultation on ways to avoid redundancies, reducing the numbers of redundancies, or mitigating their impact.

Higher Education: Research

Colleen Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much Government research funding was provided to each higher education institution in (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England in each of the last three years.

George Freeman: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) research income data shows research income earned by individual Higher Education providers, including grant and contract income from different government sources including Higher Education Funding bodies (including Research England), UK Research and Innovation Research Councils and Government departments. The relevant information is available on HESA at https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/finances/income.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will extend the Warm Home Discount scheme for the financial year 2022-23.

Greg Hands: The Warm Home Discount is a key policy in the Government’s strategy to tackle fuel poverty and reduce the energy costs of low-income and vulnerable households, which is why the Government committed to extend the scheme until 2026 in the Energy White Paper. The Government consulted on expanding and reforming the Warm Home Discount from 2022. Under the plans, the total spending will increase from around £350 million to £475 million per year, and the value of the rebates will increase to £150. As a result of the additional funding, 780,000 more low-income and vulnerable households will receive rebates on their energy bills every winter, with the majority receiving the money automatically and without having to apply.

Wind Power

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to his Department's press release of 25 January 2022 entitled £60 million boost for floating offshore wind, what the local content requirements stipulated by the match-funded projects are.

Greg Hands: Lead applicants to the Floating Offshore Wind Demonstration Programme needed to be UK-based registered with Companies House. One of the criteria that applications to this innovation and R&D programme were assessed upon was their ability to deliver new and disruptive UK supply chain content. I am pleased that a Doncaster-based ropes manufacturer are partners in two of the successful projects, which serves of a great example of how Yorkshire is benefiting from this Government's programme creating jobs in their constituency

Pfizer: Contracts

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government's contract for covid-19 vaccines with Pfizer includes an investor state dispute settlement clause.

George Freeman: We are not able to disclose the details of some clauses of contracts between the Government and vaccine manufacturers as this information is commercially sensitive.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas: Shortages

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to (a) reduce the shortage of LPG cylinders and (b) ensure that off-grid domestic customers who are reliant on LPG for heating are prioritised for cylinder deliveries.

Greg Hands: The Department’s officials have discussed the availability of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders with the major suppliers. The companies concerned continue to offer short term mitigations such as cylinder swaps and alternative sizes where necessary, while they develop long-term, sustainable solutions. Liquefied petroleum gas consumers are free to shop around for the best price and terms relating to the supply of bottled liquefied petroleum gas. Liquid Gas UK, the trade association for the industry, remains confident in their members’ ability to operate to the principles set out in their Customer Charter. These include ‘Cold Weather Priority Delivery’ so that at times of restricted supply the industry will seek to ensure that priority groups do not run out of energy, particularly those who are aged 75 or older, chronically ill, or registered disabled.

Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland Office: Public Appointments

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department seeks references for candidates appointed to public positions which fall under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Conor Burns: The Northern Ireland Office's regulated public appointment processes comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments and are governed by the principle of appointment on merit following a selection process that is open, impartial and assesses each candidate against the same criteria for the role in question. The department does not ask for references. However, in line with the Governance Code, candidates are asked to declare relevant interests and these are discussed at interview.

Northern Ireland Office: Legislation

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many pieces of (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation their Department has sponsored in each of the last 10 years.

Conor Burns: The number of pieces of both primary and secondary legislation sponsored by Government Departments could be calculated using publicly available information. This information is not held within the Department.

Department of Health and Social Care

Cancer: Health Services

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he make an estimate of the number of patients who have opted to pay for medical advice and appointments following the postponement of their appointments on the NHS Cancer Pathway.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many paediatric doses of the covid-19 vaccine have been administered in each region of the UK as of 25 January 2022.

Maggie Throup: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many paediatric doses of the covid-19 vaccine have been delivered to each region of the UK as of 25 January 2022.

Maggie Throup: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Probiotics

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to a recent research paper entitled Probiotic improves symptomatic and viral clearance in covid-19 outpatients: a randomized, quadruple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of that research that probiotics improve symptomatic and viral clearance in covid-19 outpatients.

Maggie Throup: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Alcoholic Drinks: Consumption

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the increase in alcohol consumption in the north of England during the covid-19 outbreak.

Gillian Keegan: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Alcoholic Drinks: Consumption

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the increase in alcohol consumption during the covid-19 outbreak.

Gillian Keegan: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Greater London

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people (a) are eligible for and (b) have received a fourth dose of a covid-19 vaccination in (i) Waltham Forest (ii) Walthamstow (iii) Chingford and Wood Green and (iv) Leyton and Wanstead.

Maggie Throup: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will instruct the companies that undertook trials for covid-19 vaccines that have been approved by the MHRA to publish the anonymised participant level data underlying those trials.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Cancer: Health Services

Antony Higginbotham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) support and (b) resources the Government plans to make available to tackle the backlog in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Maria Caulfield: We are committed to recovering cancer services by the end of March 2022, returning to February 2020 levels for waiting times between a general practitioner appointment and referral and the number of people waiting for over 62 days for treatment.Diagnostic capacity is being increased, particularly in endoscopy, computerised tomography and targeted lung health checks. Rapid diagnostic centres are bringing together diagnostic equipment and expertise and increasing capacity. The National Health Service is maximising innovative treatments adopted during the pandemic, including new radiotherapy methods to deliver targeted treatment in fewer hospital visits.At the Spending Review 2021, we announced an extra £5.9 billion to support elective recovery, diagnostics and technology over the next three years. This includes £2.3 billion to increase the volume of diagnostic activity and launching community diagnostic centres to address backlogs of clinical tests.

Early Years Healthy Development Review

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the Prime Minister or other Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of the appointment of a Cabinet Minister to oversee implementation of the Government’s Best Start for Life vision for the 1,001 critical days, published on 25 March 2021.

Maria Caulfield: The report of the Early Years Healthy Development Review, published in March 2021, committed that a Cabinet Minister will oversee implementation of the agreed actions from the review and ensuring that Start for Life is kept at the heart of policy-making decisions across Government. The timing and nature of appointments to the Cabinet are at the discretion of the Prime Minister. A decision on responsibilities will be made in due course. Implementation of many of the actions set out in the report is underway. The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an investment of £500 million over the next three years to transform Start for Life and family help services in half of upper tier local authorities in England in the recent Spending Review. This includes £200 million for the supporting families programme.

Dentistry: Recruitment

David Warburton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to attract high quality dental professionals into NHS dentistry across the (a) South West and (b) UK.

Maria Caulfield: In the South West, NHS England are working with Bristol and Peninsula Dental schools as part of the South West Dental Reform programme to address the challenges facing National Health Service dentistry in the region. The programme is looking at innovative ways to attract dental staff.NHS England and NHS Improvement are leading on reforms to the current dental contract and wider dental system to make the NHS dental offer more attractive for dentists and their teams. Health Education England has made recommendations in their September 2021 Advancing Dental Care Review to tackle recruitment, retention and attracting dentists into the NHS. These recommendations are being implemented through their Dental Education Reform Programme.

NHS: Dentistry

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of dentists that have left the NHS in the last twelve months.

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many dentists (a) there are as of 24 January 2022 and (b) have stopped providing NHS treatment within the last 12 months, by parliamentary constituency in England.

Maria Caulfield: No estimate has been made of the number of dentists that have left the National Health Service in the last twelve months. Data on NHS dentists is not available by parliamentary constituency or on the specific date requested. However, the number of dentists providing NHS care from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 is expected to be published in the third quarter of 2022/23.

Parkinson's Disease: Research

Selaine Saxby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Government announcement on investment into neurodegenerative disease research of 14 November 2021, what (a) allocation of funding is available for research into cures for Parkinson's Disease and (b) the allocation process is to determine the distribution of funds.

Maria Caulfield: The £375 million investment will fund research projects into a range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The NIHR and UKRI rely on researchers submitting high-quality applications to access funding, therefore details of allocations are not currently available. All applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.

Early Years Healthy Development Review: Andrea Leadsom

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the length is of Dame Andrea Leadsom's appointment as the Government’s Early Years Healthy Development Adviser.

Maria Caulfield: Her appointment is due to finish at the end of April 2022.

Public Health: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of local authority funding deficits on regional public health outcomes.

Maria Caulfield: We have made no such specific assessment. At the Spending Review, the Government announced an approximately £1.6 billion additional grant in the Local Government Departmental Expenditure Limit for the next three years. This will allow councils to increase spending on public services, such as supporting families, children’s and adults’ social care. We have also made available over £12 billion to local government since the start of the pandemic to address the costs and impacts of COVID-19.

Defibrillators

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to encourage the installation of more defibrillators in public places.

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the installation of more defibrillators in public places.

Maria Caulfield: The National Health Service has initiated a national network of community first responders and automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This will be supported by educating the general public, including young people of school age, on recognising and responding to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.   The Government encourages organisations in England to consider purchasing a defibrillator as part of their first aid equipment, particularly for places where there are high concentrations of people. With growing public awareness and acceptance of AEDs, many community defibrillators have since been provided in public locations through national lottery funding, community fundraising schemes, workplace funding or by charities. From May 2020, the Government has required all contractors refurbishing or building new schools through centrally delivered programmes to provide at least one AED. The NHS cardiovascular disease programme has committed £15 million in 2021/22 for national projects to improve bystander responses to out of hospital cardiac arrests.

Long Covid: Health Services

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to resume referrals from GPs to (a) Kings College Hospital Trust and (b) Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital for treatment of long covid; and for what reason South East London clinical commissioning group made the decision to pause acceptance of referrals.

Maria Caulfield: In response to a surge in COVID-19-cases, Kings College Hospital NHS Trust temporarily suspended all non-urgent outpatient services, including post-COVID-19 services. These services are expected to reopen shortly. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust also temporarily suspended post-COVID-19 services, which have now re-opened.Treatment for patients already in the post-COVID-19 pathway was not paused and continued in the community or in acute services as required and virtual follow-up appointments were maintained.

Dentistry: Bath

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of the number of (a) private and (b) NHS dentists in Bath.

Maria Caulfield: Data is not held on the number of private dentists by area. Information on the number of National Health Service dentists is held at clinical commissioning group (CCG) level. In the ending 31 March 2021, 405 dentists had delivered NHS activity in NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG.

Disability: Children

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Disabled Children’s Partnership polling released January 2022, what recent progress he has made on tackling the backlog in disabled children’s health services, including the provision of (a) therapies, (b) wheelchairs, (c) hoists and (d) other equipment.

Gillian Keegan: As part of COVID-19 recovery planning, we are reviewing how we can improve the provision of health services, including therapies for disabled children. We have made £2 billion available in 2021/22 and a further £8 billion from April 2022 to March 2025 to increase activity and reduce waiting times for patients, including disabled children. This funding could deliver the equivalent of approximately nine million more checks, scans and procedures and allow the National Health Service in England to deliver 30% more elective activity by 2024/25 compared to pre-pandemic levels. A further £5.9 billion of capital funding was announced in the October 2021 to support elective recovery, diagnostics, and technology.We are supporting access to appropriate disability equipment via NHS Supply Chain, which maintains a framework contract for the supply of rehabilitation and disabled services equipment, such as paediatric wheelchairs, to the NHS and other healthcare settings.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timeframe is for his Department to issue clear guidance on the prioritisation and coordination of covid-19 booster doses for immunocompromised people alongside booster doses for all 18 to 39 year olds and second doses for those aged 12 to 15 years.

Maggie Throup: On 29 November 2021, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation updated its COVID-19 vaccination advice in response to the Omicron variant. The advice stated that all those aged 18 years old or over should be eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine; 12 to 15 year olds should be eligible for two doses; and that those with severe immunosuppression should be eligible for a fourth dose as a booster.NHS England and NHS Improvement published guidance to all systems regarding the next steps of vaccine deployment. This guidance stated the need to continue to prioritise the severely immunosuppressed and also asked all systems to create additional capacity for those aged over 18 years old to receive their booster and to ensure that eligible children are able to access vaccination. It was published on 13 December 2021 and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2021/12/C1488-letter-next-steps-for-the-nhs-covid-19-vaccine-deployment.pdfThe National Health Service opened bookings for 12 to 15 year olds to receive a second dose on 20 December 2021.A letter was sent to NHS systems and vaccination services on 25 January 2022 with further information on COVID-19 vaccination for those who are immunocompromised. This advised how eligible people should be contacted, provided a letter template for the referral for a fourth dose and frequently asked questions regarding vaccination and immunosuppression.

Coronavirus: Screening

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are the Government taking to ensure a steady and sustainable supply of lateral flow tests manufactured in the UK.

Maggie Throup: In October 2020, the Government commissioned work to support the United Kingdom’s diagnostic industry, to secure a lateral flow antigen test and increase domestic production capacity. The Make UK programme delivered two clinically validated and regulatory approved UK lateral flow antigen tests​ and provided investment in capital equipment and facilities expansion at UK manufacturing companies​.Over 100 million tests have been produced for UK Health Security Agency deployment and UK production capacity of lateral flow antigen test has increased by 3,500%. The first UK-made self-test lateral flow device has been deployed in January 2022. The Make UK programme has also increased capacity and resilience for current and future public health challenges​.

Coronavirus: Schools

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2022 to Question 94344 on Schools: Coronavirus, what engagement he has had with representatives of businesses (a) manufacturing and (b) fitting air purification technology in the UK (i) before the tender was published, (ii) after the tender was published but before the contract was awarded and (iii) since the contract was awarded.

Maggie Throup: This tendering was undertaken initially by NHS Test and Trace who explored the market with a variety of representatives of businesses involved in manufacturing and fitting air purification technologies prior to issuing the tender. There was no engagement with businesses involved with this technology between issuing the tender and awarding the contract. The UK Health Security Agency followed public procurement policy, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-sector-procurement-policyOfficials have ongoing discussions with successful suppliers as part of setting up the study and the ongoing management of the contract(s).

Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have applied for a Vaccine Damage Payment; how many people have received payments from that scheme; and what the average payment is.

Maria Caulfield: The Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme was established in 1979. From the inception of the scheme to 21 January 2022 inclusive, there have been 7,336 claims for all diseases included in the Scheme. Of these claims, 947 have received payments. For claims made on and after 12 July 2007, the current award amount is £120,000.

Health Services: Poverty

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the public merits of establishing public health hubs in areas of greatest deprivation.

Maria Caulfield: Local authorities are best placed to commission the appropriate public health services for their local populations. However, we have established the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities which is exploring ways to support local areas to improve the health of their communities and tackle disparities. We will provide further details in due course.

Dental Services: Waiting Lists

David Warburton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department has on the number of people waiting to access NHS Dental Services in (a) Somerton and Frome, (b) Somerset, (c) the South West and (d) the UK.

Maria Caulfield: The information requested is not held centrally. Appointments for National Health Service treatment are managed directly by dental practices.

Health Services

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure patients are able to access NHS dentists; and what progress has been made on ensuring a full return to face-to-face GP appointments.

Maria Caulfield: An additional £50 million in funding for National Health Service (NHS) dentistry has been made available for the remainder of the financial year to give more patients access to dental care and help tackle the dental backlog. The available appointments will be targeted first at those most in need of urgent dental treatment, vulnerable groups and children.The Department continues to work closely with NHS England to maximise the number of patients that can be seen safely in dental practices, with an expectation set for NHS dental practices that they will deliver 85% of their contracted activity in quarter four 2021/22.General Practices (GPs) have remained open throughout the pandemic, offering face to face appointments. They have been asked to prioritise vaccinations and emergency care until the end of the booster campaign We expect patients to experience the same high quality of care regardless of how they access their GP surgery.

Coronavirus

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of daily covid-19 cases that are reinfections.

Maggie Throup: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has not made a specific estimate. However, the UKHSA monitors weekly COVID-19 cases, including numbers and rates of reinfections in England, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2021-to-2022-seasonAs of 2 January 2022, 268,517 potential reinfections have been identified in England since the beginning of the pandemic.

Attorney General

Attorney General: Public Appointments

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Attorney General, whether her Department seeks references for candidates appointed to public positions which fall under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Alex Chalk: Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service is the only position sponsored by the Attorney General’s Office which falls under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Andrew Cayley CMG QC is the current Chief Inspector. He was appointed in January 2021 following a fair and open assessment process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. As set out in the Candidate Pack published on the Cabinet Office Public Appointments website, candidates invited to interview for the position were required to provide two references in advance of the interview. In addition, as part of the recruitment process Andrew Cayley CMG QC was subject to a pre-appointment hearing with the Justice Select Committee on Thursday 14 January. The committee recommended his appointment and he took up post on 1 April 2021.

Bounce Back Loan Scheme: Fraud

Steve Reed: To ask the Attorney General, how many prosecutions have been brought against individuals or groups of individuals for charges of fraud involving the coronavirus bounce back loan scheme since the launch of that scheme.

Alex Chalk: The CPS Case Management System does not capture specific data on the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS). This information could only be obtained by examining CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

Department for Education

Schools: Air Conditioning

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department's Press Release of 24 January 2022 entitled More support for schools and students as plan B comes to an end, what estimate his Department has made of the number of air cleaning units needed in addition to the 8,000 to which he has already committed, in order to provide one such unit for all classrooms and teaching spaces that need them.

Mr Robin Walker: The total number of air cleaning units that providers have applied for was just over 8,000. Up to an additional 1,000 units have now been ordered, bringing the total number of units available up to 9,000, allowing all eligible applications to be fulfilled.Air cleaning units were allocated to providers based on need, using the eligibility criteria we have set out in our guidance here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12cU_I5q0v1_my97yPMpb87RsSL5d5lpj. As of 24 January, 1,265 providers that applied for department-funded air cleaning units were eligible for air cleaning units.We are currently finalising the total number of units allocated to providers. This will depend on the needs identified by eligible providers, including the number of people using the room(s).The total number of eligible providers mirrors published summary findings from the department’s survey of the use of CO2 monitors, which show that only 3% of providers using CO2 monitors reported sustained high CO2 readings that could not otherwise be addressed. This is available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/co2-monitor-survey-and-applications-for-air-cleaning-units. Natural ventilation is best where that is achievable, and the evidence supports that, in the vast majority of cases, teaching spaces and classrooms benefit from sufficient natural ventilation.We will keep the provision of air cleaning units under review as part of our overall response to COVID-19 and we will continue to work with the sector to understand ventilation needs across the education estate.

Department for Education: Public Appointments

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department seeks references for candidates appointed to public positions which fall under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Michelle Donelan: References are not routinely requested for public appointments which fall under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, as they may not always be the most appropriate, fair or open way of making an assessment of candidates.However, the Governance Code on Public Appointments sets out that the Advisory Assessment Panel must be satisfied that all candidates can meet the Seven Principles of Public Life, adhere to the Code of Conduct for board members of public bodies and do not have any conflicts of interest which are not manageable within the context of the role.

Higher Education: Hong Kong

Sir Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made representations to universities in the UK that have (a) awarded honorary doctorates and (b) otherwise honoured members of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government in the context of its role in the Government-acknowledged ongoing breach of the Sino-British Declaration in Hong Kong.

Michelle Donelan: The department has not made representations to universities in the UK in the context as described. It is for universities as autonomous institutions to make their own judgement calls, in line with our laws. We continue to recommend that university due diligence processes, including regarding appointments, should consider reputational, ethical and security risks.

Universities: Fees and Charges

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of British children born before the UK's departure from the EU and currently living in an EU country who will no longer be eligible for home fee status in the event that they apply to study at universities in the UK on courses beginning after 1 January 2028.

Michelle Donelan: UK Nationals living in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland at the end of the transition period, and who wish to study in England, will continue to be eligible for home fee status for courses starting before 1 January 2028. This 7 year offer supports children of UK nationals currently progressing through secondary school.The department does not hold the number of British children living in the EEA or Switzerland at the end of the transition period who are under secondary school age. The department’s published Equality Analysis of the Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 shows that in the academic year 2018/19, there were 4,795 EEA (excluding Ireland) and Swiss domiciled students with UK nationality studying at English higher education providers. They represent 0.2% of the 1,942,535 students studying at English providers in 2018/19. Further information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-student-finance-2021-to-2022-equality-analysis.

Schools: Air Conditioning

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reasons of ineligibility he has turned down applications from schools for air purification units; how many schools and other contexts in which children receive education have been refused one or more air purification units for which they applied; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robin Walker: Air cleaning units were allocated to providers based on need, using the eligibility criteria we have set out in our guidance here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12cU_I5q0v1_my97yPMpb87RsSL5d5lpj.As of 24 January, we received applications from 1,550 providers. Of these, 1,265 were successful and 285 settings will not receive air cleaning units as they did not meet the eligibility criteria set out in our guidance. For example, the room applied for may not have reported sustained CO2 readings above 1,500ppm, or may have been an unsuitable space, such as a hall, corridor or dining room.Natural ventilation is best where that is achievable and the department has robust evidence that, in most cases, teaching spaces and classrooms benefit from sufficient natural ventilation. That evidence includes the responses to our recent survey of providers using the CO2 monitors that the department published on 24 January 2022, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/co2-monitor-survey-and-applications-for-air-cleaning-units. This survey showed that only 3% of providers reported sustained high CO2 readings (above 1,500ppm) that could not be remedied through quick fixes or remedial building works.

Schools: Air Conditioning

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department's Press Release of 24 January 2022 entitled More support for schools and students as plan B comes to an end, whether he has plans to reimburse schools for the cost of air cleaning units where the school has already funded such units but he now assesses the relevant teaching space to require one.

Mr Robin Walker: State-funded education providers that purchased air cleaning units through the online marketplace prior to the announcement on 2 January that the department would make additional funded units available will be eligible for a reimbursement if they meet the eligibility criteria set out in our guidance here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12cU_I5q0v1_my97yPMpb87RsSL5d5lpj. Eligible providers have already been contacted directly.

Schools: Ventilation

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department's Press Release of 24 January 2022 entitled More support for schools and students as plan B comes to an end, what (a) amount and (b) form of support his Department is providing to support further ventilation in England's schools; by what criteria that support will be distributed; how schools can apply for such support; and by what date he estimates that support will have been implemented or disbursed.

Mr Robin Walker: During the autumn term, the department provided CO2 monitors to all state-funded education providers, including early years, schools, and further education providers, backed by £25 million in government funding. We have now delivered on our public commitment, with over 353,000 monitors delivered in the autumn term.Based on the feedback we had from providers following the CO2 monitor programme, for the very few cases where maintaining good ventilation is not possible, on 2 January we announced that we are supplying up to a total of 8,000 air cleaning units to providers. Providers applied for units via an online form. Please note that applications closed at 9am on 17 January. On 24 January, the department committed to fulfil all eligible applications from education settings for air cleaning units and will make up to an additional 1,000 units available to do so. Air cleaning units were allocated to providers based on need, using the eligibility criteria we have set out in our guidance here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12cU_I5q0v1_my97yPMpb87RsSL5d5lpj.As of 24 January, 1,265 providers that applied for department-funded air cleaning units were eligible. We are currently finalising the total number of units allocated to providers. This will depend on the needs identified by eligible providers, including the number of people using the room(s). Special schools and alternative provision have already received the air cleaning units they applied for in the autumn term. All other providers with eligible applications have now started to receive deliveries.The total number of eligible providers mirrors published summary findings from the department’s survey of the use of CO2 monitors, which show that only 3% of providers using CO2 monitors reported sustained high CO2 readings that couldn’t otherwise be addressed. This survey is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/co2-monitor-survey-and-applications-for-air-cleaning-units. Natural ventilation is best where that is achievable, and this evidence supports that, in the vast majority of cases, teaching spaces and classrooms benefit from sufficient natural ventilation.Providers can also purchase air cleaning units at a suitable specification and competitive price directly from suppliers at the online marketplace. The marketplace is available at: https://s107t01-webapp-v2-01.azurewebsites.net/list/air-cleaning.Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, we have emphasised the importance of ventilation and provided guidance to schools, colleges and universities on ventilation requirements. In addition to our existing guidance on ventilation, we have provided education providers with guidance on how to use the air cleaning units, as well as how to order a unit via the online marketplace.The department will keep the provision of air cleaning units under review as part of our overall response to COVID-19 and will continue to work with the sector to understand ventilation needs across the education estate.

Literacy: Teaching Methods

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of schools moving to validated systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) programmes.

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria his Department used to decide which systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) programmes to validate.

Mr Robin Walker: A comprehensive review of robust studies by the Education Endowment Foundation found that systematic phonics is the most effective approach for teaching pupils to decode, including older pupils struggling with decoding, when embedded in a rich literacy environment. That is why the government has made systematic phonics teaching part of the national curriculum, embedded it as a component of teacher training, introduced the phonics screening check and made reading a core part of Ofsted primary inspections.The department and Ofsted do not mandate that schools use a validated programme to teach systematic synthetic phonics (SSP). What is important is that schools take an approach that is rigorous, systematic, used with fidelity (any resources used should exactly match the Grapheme Phoneme Correspondence progression of their chosen SSP approach), and achieves strong results for all pupils, including the most disadvantaged. To support the high-quality teaching of phonics, the department recommends using a programme from the validated list of SSP programmes, but this is not mandatory. If schools are receiving support through the English Hubs programme to improve their phonics teaching, they must follow a programme from the validated list.Validation indicates that an SSP programme has been self-assessed by its publisher and assessed by a panel of experts, and that both consider it to meet all of the most recent Department for Education criteria for an effective SSP programme, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phonics-teaching-materials-core-criteria-and-self-assessment/validation-of-systematic-synthetic-phonics-programmes-supporting-documentation#essential-core-criteria. The department sought views on the validation criteria from SSP experts before publishing a final version.The department’s list of validated programmes has been updated on gov.uk and there will be further updates following future validation panels. The updated list includes a number of options, including school-to-school support programmes and not for profit options. We recommend schools contact individual programme providers for more information on programme prices.Schools have the flexibility to decide how to prioritise their spending to invest in a range of resources and activities that will best support their staff and pupils. Schools can choose to use their core funding to buy an SSP programme.The department has made a further £5 million funding available to schools to purchase validated SSP programmes. Eligible schools must have a minimum of 22% of their pupils eligible for the pupil premium or service pupil premium and will be situated in a local authority area listed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/choosing-a-phonics-teaching-programme/list-of-phonics-teaching-programmes.In addition, the department has funded various initiatives to improve the teaching of phonics in schools. Between 2011 and 2013, we provided £23.7 million of matched funding for resources and training for 14,000 schools. In 2018, we launched a £26.3 million English Hubs programme dedicated to improving the teaching of reading, with a focus on supporting children making the slowest progress in reading, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds. We have since invested a further £17 million in this school-to-school improvement programme, which focuses on SSP, early language, and reading for pleasure. Since its launch, the English Hubs programme has provided appropriate and targeted support to several thousands of schools across England.

Schools: Air Conditioning

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many education settings have had their requests for Government-funded air cleaning units (a) approved and (b) rejected, by parliamentary constituency.

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many education settings have their requests for Government-funded air cleaning units (a) approved and (b) rejected in (i) the North West, (ii) the North East, (iii) Yorkshire and the Humber, (iv) the East Midlands, (v) the West Midlands, (vi) Wales, (vii) the South West, (viii) the East of England, (ix) the South East and (x) London.

Mr Robin Walker: Applications for air cleaning units closed on 17 January and were assessed against strict eligibility criteria set out in the guidance, details of which can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12cU_I5q0v1_my97yPMpb87RsSL5d5lpj.The department does not hold information on air cleaning unit allocations by either constituency or geographical region for England. As of 24 January, the department has received applications from 1,550 providers, of which 285 did not meet the eligibility criteria. For example, the room applied for may not have reported sustained CO2 readings above 1500ppm, or it may have been an unsuitable space, such as a hall, corridor, or dining room. 1,265 providers in total were eligible for air cleaning units and up to 1,000 additional units are being purchased so that the department can fulfil all eligible applications.Natural ventilation is best where that is achievable, and the department has robust evidence that in the vast majority of cases, teaching spaces and classrooms benefit from sufficient natural ventilation. That evidence includes the responses to our recent survey of providers using the carbon dioxide monitors that the department published on 24 January, which showed that only 3% of providers reported sustained high CO2 readings (above 1500ppm) that could not be remedied through quick fixes or remedial building works, details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/co2-monitor-survey-and-applications-for-air-cleaning-units.

Schools: Air Conditioning

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2022 to Question 99046 on Schools: Air Conditioning, how many of the additional 7,000 air purifiers to increase classroom ventilation, announced on 2 January 2022, will be allocated to schools in (a) Plymouth, (b) Devon and Cornwall and (c) the South West.

Mr Robin Walker: Air cleaning units were allocated to settings based on need, using the eligibility criteria we have set out in our guidance: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12cU_I5q0v1_my97yPMpb87RsSL5d5lpj.As of 24 January, 1,265 providers that applied for department-funded air cleaning units were eligible for air cleaning units, including 2 providers in Plymouth and 25 providers in Devon and Cornwall. Please note that we do not hold information by geographical region. We are currently finalising the total number of units allocated to providers. This will depend on the needs identified by eligible providers, including the number of people using the room(s).The total number of eligible providers mirrors published summary findings from the department’s survey of the use of CO2 monitors, which show that only 3% of providers using carbon dioxide monitors reported sustained high carbon dioxide readings that couldn’t otherwise be addressed. This is available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/co2-monitor-survey-and-applications-for-air-cleaning-units.The total number of air cleaning units that providers have applied for was just over 8,000. Up to an additional 1,000 units have now been ordered, bringing the total number of units available up to 9,000, allowing all eligible applications to be fulfilled.

Schools: Ventilation

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of CO2 monitors in schools in Stockport.

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of air purifiers in schools in Stockport.

Mr Robin Walker: During the autumn term, the department provided CO2 monitors to all state-funded education providers, including early years, schools, and further education providers, backed by £25 million in government funding. The department has now delivered on our public commitment with over 353,000 monitors delivered in the autumn term. This includes 1,534 CO2 monitors which were delivered to schools in Stockport.Air cleaning units were allocated to settings based on need, using the eligibility criteria the department set out in guidance, which is available at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12cU_I5q0v1_my97yPMpb87RsSL5d5lpj. As of 24 January 2022, 1,265 settings that applied for department-funded air cleaning units were eligible for air cleaning units, including 3 education providers in Stockport.The department is currently finalising the total number of units allocated to education providers, this will depend on the needs identified by eligible education providers, including the number of people using the room(s).The total number of eligible education providers mirrors published summary findings from the department’s survey of the use of CO2 monitors, which show that only 3% of settings using carbon dioxide monitors reported sustained high carbon dioxide readings that couldn’t otherwise be addressed. This is available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/co2-monitor-survey-and-applications-for-air-cleaning-units.The total number of air cleaning units that education providers have applied for was just over 8,000. Up to an additional 1,000 units have now been ordered, bringing the total number of units available up to 9,000, allowing all eligible applications to be fulfilled.

Schools: Condition Improvement Fund

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools applied for and (a) received and (b) did not receive Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) financial support since 2017, by parliamentary constituency.

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools applied for and (a) received and (b) did not receive Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) financial support in (i) the North West, (ii) the North East, (iii) Yorkshire and the Humber, (iv) the East Midlands, (v) the West Midlands, (vi) Wales, (vii) the South West, (viii) the East of England, (ix) South East and (x) London.

Mr Robin Walker: The tables attached show the constituency and regional breakdown of eligible schools and sixth form colleges which have applied to the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) since 2017. This includes how many of those were awarded funding and how many were not awarded funding. The data covers the five CIF rounds from the 2017-18 to 2021-22 financial years. Since 2017, 5,016 establishments have applied for CIF funding, 3,763 have been awarded funding, and 1,253 have not been awarded funding. The current round of CIF (the 2022-23 financial year) closed for applications on 15 December 2021, and the department is currently assessing all applications.Lists of successful applications by constituency are available on gov.uk:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/condition-improvement-fund-2017-to-2018-outcome.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/condition-improvement-fund-2018-to-2019-outcome.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/condition-improvement-fund-cif-application-outcomes-2019-to-2020.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/condition-improvement-fund-2020-to-2021-outcome.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/condition-improvement-fund-2021-to-2022-outcome.Education is a devolved policy area, so no schools or sixth form colleges in Wales are eligible to apply for CIF.  111721_111722_table_CIF (pdf, 211.5KB)

Adoption

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department's data published on 18 November 2021, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle the declining number of adoptions and (b) ascertain the reasons for the 18 per cent decrease in adoptions in 2020-21.

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to (a) encourage more people to adopt and (b) give prospective adopters assurance of lifetime support.

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what initial assessment his Department has made of the impact of the national #YouCanAdopt campaign on the number of (a) adoption enquiries and (b) adoption approvals.

Will Quince: Our national adoption strategy, published last year, sets out our bold vision to deliver excellent adoption services across England. It sets our commitment to:boost adopter recruitment so that adoptive children are found permanent loving families quickly;improve how children are matched with families through removing unnecessary barriers and bureaucracy placed in the way of those seeking to adopt;continue to support adoptive families through the Adoption Support Fund; andemploy a new full-time national Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) strategic leader and support staff to drive collaboration between adoption agencies across the country and lead engagement with other services such as health and education to help children and adopters get the support they need.To support delivery of the strategy, we have provided additional funding of £48.1 million in the 2021-22 financial year.We continue to discuss adoption numbers with the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board and with the RAA Leaders’ group. These discussions have suggested that reasons for the decrease include the impact of COVID-19 restrictions in 2020-21, including on the courts and on wider decision-making processes within local authorities and RAAs.Since the national #YouCanAdopt campaign began, we have seen a continued increase in the number of approvals of adopters. We now have more adopters (2,140) than children waiting (2,020).Over 1,000 enquiries were received by the 6 adoption agencies sampled for evaluation purposes. Scaled up, the National Adopter Recruitment Steering Group estimated 10,000+ enquiries across all agencies in England during the campaign period.

Children in Care: Housing

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate he has made of the number of residential places available to support children and young people in need of statutory provision (a) nationally and (b) in York.

Will Quince: This is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the hon. Member for York Central and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Children in Care: Housing

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will take steps to ensure that every local authority has its own residential provision for children and young adults in care.

Will Quince: Spending Review 2021 announced £259 million of funding over the Spending Review 2021 period to maintain capacity and expand provision in secure and open residential children’s homes. This will provide high quality, safe homes for some of our most vulnerable children and young people.This builds on initial funding announced in July 2021 of up to £19.5 million over two years for local authorities to develop new children’s homes. Local authorities were invited to bid for funding on a match-funded (50/50) basis to:Establish innovative approaches to reduce the number of children needing care over time.Ensure sufficient provision for children with more complex needs.Address current shortfalls, including in geographic areas with fewer children’s homes.The department will make a further announcement on the Spending Review 2021 funding shortly.

Equality: Finance

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what due diligence was carried out on (a) Diversity Role Models and (b) Equaliteach, prior to those organisations receiving funding from his Department.

Will Quince: The department carried out an open grant competition in which the bids received were assessed against the required criteria, which were: understanding the anti-bullying agenda, ability to design a plan to meet the project needs, approach to stakeholder engagement, project management and governance arrangements, evaluation plans, and sustainability plans.All five organisations had previously delivered anti-bullying support under previous department and Government Equalities Office grant schemes. The department is working with all five organisations in the normal way to ensure any training and resources produced as part of these projects are in line with our requirements.

Schools: Mental Health Services

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data his Department collects on the number of schools that directly employ their own mental health counsellors.

Will Quince: The department does collect information on staff working in state-funded schools via the annual School Workforce Census, but this does not directly identify in-school mental health counsellors and mental health workers. The results are published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.Our most recent survey of mental health provision in schools and colleges published in 2017 found that 61% of schools and colleges (56% of primary schools, 84% of secondary schools and 93% of colleges) reported offering access to counselling services for their pupils and students: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/634726/Supporting_Mental-Health_survey_report.pdf. Recently, findings from the department’s COVID-19 School Snapshot Survey in July 2021, found that 96% of schools were providing support in school for pupils identified as having mental health needs.We recognise that school and college-based counselling is valuable provision which can play a particularly effective role as part of a whole-school or college approach to wellbeing and mental health, within which support can come from a number of sources. We have produced guidance on how to deliver high quality school-based counselling, to further support schools who have decided that counselling support is appropriate for their pupils. As a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have committed to updating this guidance to make sure it reflects the current context. The current guidance sets out our strong expectation that over time, all schools will offer counselling services, alongside other interventions.

Schools: Air Conditioning

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department's portal to purchase air filtration units for education and childcare settings, if he will define the suitable standard of specification for their use in education settings.

Mr Robin Walker: All air cleaning units provided by the department have met an approved technical specification, including units available to purchase via the marketplace. The department’s technical specification used to assess the units was developed through a rigorous consultation with industry wide experts in both air cleaning and ventilation from academia, professional bodies, and industry, including chartered engineers, scientists and several government departments. Through this consultation we have developed a specification specific to education.The specification included a wide range of factors appropriate to an education environment to determine overall suitability. This included clean air delivery rates, noise levels, filtration capability, technical certification, ease of use and maintenance, warranty, and strength of evidence for manufacturer claims. The primary considerations were around the standard of filtration which is high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration technology; the minimum standard was specified to HEPA H13/ISO35H, which is a medical grade of filter which helps to remove airborne contaminants, including viruses such as SARS‑CoV‑2. HEPA technology is a mature technology and removes the risk of any less well tested technology being implemented into classrooms. Acoustic performance was also a major consideration due to the units needing to go into a classroom environment. All these criteria formed part of our technical specification used to assess and select units that meet our high specification and are suitable for teaching environments.Any procurement that we undertake must comply with the Public Contract Regulations (2015). The procurement of air cleaning devices was undertaken using the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework (RM6157) which can be accessed by central government departments including the Department for Education and the wider public sector. We have selected a range of products which meet our high specification criteria to provide education and childcare settings with high quality air cleaning units.The department has published details of the contract for air cleaning units provided to SEND and alternative provision settings, including the technical specification for these units, which can be found here: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d2955fc4-b281-45dd-9203-5c37df79dfda. The department will publish details of further contracts for air cleaning units, which will include the technical specification criteria, on contracts finder in line with the government’s transparency agenda.

Ministry of Justice

Succession

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what protections are in place to prevent a convicted domestic abuser inheriting from the death of their spousal victim in the absence of an individual will.

James Cartlidge: The law at the moment does not automatically change inheritance rights for any conviction other than preventing those guilty of unlawful killings from being beneficiaries (the ‘forfeiture rule’). The rationale is that people would take steps such as divorce or making a will to prevent abusers benefitting from their estate once the abusive relationship has ended. The Government is currently giving consideration to this issue, and I understand that my colleague Lord Wolfson is soon to meet the honourable member on the matter.

Judiciary

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) court judges, (b) tribunal judges and (c) magistrates there are in England and Wales as at 25 January 2022.

James Cartlidge: The numbers of court judges, tribunal judges and magistrates are reported in the 2021 Diversity of the Judicial Diversity statistics: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/diversity-of-the-judiciary-2021-statistics. As of 1 April 2021, there were:a) Court judges: 3,314b) Tribunal judges: 1,711c) Magistrates: 12,651 This data is published annually. The next report, which will include data of the numbers of judges and magistrates in office on 1 April 2022, is scheduled to be published in July 2022. We have an annual recruitment programme for around 1000 judges and have recently launched a new online magistrates recruitment process and marketing campaign.

Recorders: Part-time Employment

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many part-time Recorders have been sitting each year from 2015 to 2021; and for how many days each part-time Recorder sat.

James Cartlidge: Recorders are not full time salaried judges, but fee paid, and the number of days they are expected to make themselves available for in a year is set out in their terms and conditions. PQ 93763 covers all those who have a primary appointment as Recorder.

Bounce Back Loan Scheme: Fraud

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many cases of fraud involving the Bounce Back Loan Scheme have been heard in courts in England and Wales since the launch of that scheme.

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many convictions for fraud involving the Bounce Back Loan scheme there have been since the launch of that scheme.

James Cartlidge: The number of prosecutions and convictions for Bounce Back Loan fraud offences is not centrally held in the court proceedings database, as the Bounce Back Loan scheme is not separately identified from wider fraud offences in legislation. Identifying these offences separately would require a manual search of court records, which would be at disproportionate costs. Published figures provide the number of prosecutions and convictions for the following offences that may include offences of fraud involving the Bounce Back Loan scheme:False Accounting,Fraud by false representation: other frauds,Fraud by failing to disclose information,Fraud by abuse of position,Conspiracy to defraud,Money Laundering,Disclosure, obstruction, false or misleading statements. The number of prosecutions and convictions can be found by searching for the above offences in the ‘Offence’ filter in the ‘Outcomes by offence data tool’ available here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/987715/outcomes-by-offence-2020.xlsx.

Unexplained Wealth Orders

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many unexplained wealth orders have been obtained in each year since their inception.

James Cartlidge: Since Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs) were introduced in 2018, orders have been made on a total of nine occasions, broken down by calendar year in the table below.2018320196202002021020220

Rape: Prosecutions

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how findings on the police and CPS response to prosecuting rape offences from the first phase of Project Soteria, which was announced in the cross-Government end-to-end rape review published in June 2021, will inform the forthcoming Victims Bill.

Victoria Atkins: Protecting women and girls from violence and supporting victims and survivors of sexual violence is a key priority for this Government. The pathfinder programme, ‘Operation Soteria’, was launched in June 2021 to drive systematic and sustainable transformation in how the police and CPS handle investigations into rape and sexual offences. The Victims’ Bill will put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system, and seek to ensure victims feel supported to engage in the criminal justice process. Any findings from Operation Soteria that relate to what victims should expect from criminal justice agencies, how their voices can be amplified, and how they can be better supported will be carefully considered as the Bill is developed.

Treasury

Revenue and Customs

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking with HMRC to ensure that methods for the public to contact HMRC are (a) clear and (b) accessible.

Lucy Frazer: Customers wishing to contact HMRC have several routes they can use, including a number of digital options as well as more traditional methods, such as telephoning or writing. Information on how to contact HMRC can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/contact-hmrc

Housing: Building Alterations

Drew Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2022 to Question 103583 on Housing: Building Alterations, what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost to the Exchequer of removing VAT for all building works undertaken for the adaption of a residential property to meet a disabled persons needs has his department undertaken.

Lucy Frazer: The Government has not estimated the cost to the Exchequer of removing VAT for all building works undertaken for the adaptation of a residential property to meet a disabled person’s needs.The scope of the existing VAT reliefs covers alterations specifically for assisting with a disability.Disabled people benefit from the zero rate of VAT on certain building works, the reduced VAT rate of 5 per cent on residential construction under certain conditions, and some additional zero-rates on alterations such as work on ramps, bathrooms, lifts, and widening doorways.Although all taxes are kept under review, the Government has no plans to introduce new VAT reliefs at this time.

Banks: Closures

Dan Carden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help ensure that local bank branches remain open to enable vulnerable people to have access to cash.

John Glen: The Government recognises that cash remains an important part of daily life for millions of people across the UK, particularly those in vulnerable groups, which is why it has committed to legislate to protect access to cash. Last year, the Government held an Access to Cash Consultation on proposals for new laws to make sure people only need to travel a reasonable distance to pay in or take out cash. The Government’s proposals intend to support the continued use of cash in people’s daily lives and help to enable local businesses to continue accepting cash by ensuring they can access deposit facilities. The Government will set out next steps in due course. Following the Government’s commitment to legislate, firms are working together through the Cash Action Group to develop new initiatives to provide shared services. The Government welcomes the direction set by industry’s commitments at the end of last year and looks forward to seeing what results they deliver in protecting cash facilities for local communities across the UK. Regarding bank branches, guidance from the Financial Conduct Authority sets out its expectation of firms when they are deciding to reduce their physical branches or the number of free-to-use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and consider possible alternative access arrangements. This ensures the implementation of closure decisions is undertaken in a way that treats customers fairly.Alternative options for access to banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows 95% of business and 99% of personal banking customers to deposit cheques, check their balance and withdraw and deposit cash at 11,500 Post Office branches in the UK.

Foreign Companies: Money Laundering

Dan Carden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of foreign-owned financial services companies involved in money laundering operating in the UK.

John Glen: HM Treasury does not hold an assessment of the number of foreign-owned financial services companies involved in money laundering in the UK and is not responsible for collecting such data. However, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does collect information on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) investigations opened into firms and individuals where entities may have breached their obligations under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) or the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs). The FCA currently has 41 AML investigations opened into firms and individuals, the number of foreign owned firms under investigation is eight. These investigations are regulatory, civil and criminal in nature covering a wide range of potential breaches of systems and controls covered under the MLRs and the requirements under FSMA. It is important to keep in mind, that when the FCA opens an investigation, it is fact finding in nature and does not in itself mean any misconduct has occurred. Where the FCA has evidence of ongoing breaches of AML regulations, it will take intervention action to prevent and/or contain ongoing harm. As a result of the FCA’s investigations, since 2018 the total of financial penalties issued is £970,067,419 (before settlement discounts). The FCA also secured its first criminal conviction against a body corporate for breaches of the MLRs in October 2021.

Banks: Closures

Colleen Fletcher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the number of bank branch closures in (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England in each of the last five years.

John Glen: The Government recognises the continued importance of access to banking. However, decisions on opening and closing branches are a commercial issue for banks and building societies. The Government does not intervene in these decisions or make direct assessments of these branch networks.In May 2017, the largest banks and building societies signed up to the Access to Banking Standard which commits them to ensure customers are well informed about branch closures, the bank’s reasons for closure and options for continued access to banking services.Guidance from the Financial Conduct Authority also sets out its expectation of firms when they are deciding to reduce their physical branches or the number of free-to-use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and consider possible alternative access arrangements. This ensures the implementation of closure decisions is undertaken in a way that treats customers fairly.Alternative options for access can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows 95% of business and 99% of personal banking customers to deposit cheques, check their balance and withdraw and deposit cash at 11,500 Post Office branches in the UK.

Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications for Government policies on alcohol duty and reducing consumption of the findings of the research, The COVID-19 alcohol paradox: British household purchases during 2020 compared with 2015-2019 by Anderson et al, published on 19 January 2022.

Helen Whately: The Government continues to monitor the evidence on public health and alcohol-related harms to develop alcohol duty policy. We welcome contributions from stakeholders, including academic reports, and we will be analysing evidence provided as part of our consultation on reforms to alcohol duty.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Members: Correspondence

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 23 December 2021 from the hon. Member for East Londonderry on the Northern Ireland protocol negotiations.

James Cleverly: I responded to the correspondence in question on 28 January. I thank the Hon. Member for East Londonderry for his engagement on this important issue and apologise for the delay.

Yemen: Military Intervention

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the government of Saudi Arabia on strengthening the (a) monitoring and investigation of civilian casualties and (b) potential violations of international humanitarian law by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.

James Cleverly: The UK raises regularly the importance of protecting civilians and complying with International Humanitarian Law with members of the Saudi-led Coalition. Most recently, I [Minister Cleverly] discussed the escalating violence in Yemen and the importance of protecting civilians with the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen on 26 January.

Arms Trade: Export Controls

Alyn Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what additional measures her Department is implementing to ensure that UK arms are not licensed or exported to contexts where they could be used to commit violations of international law.

James Cleverly: The Strategic Export Licensing Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework and require us to consider the possible impact of providing equipment and its capabilities.  We examine every application on a case-by-case basis against strict criteria. Risks around human rights and international humanitarian law violations are a key part of our assessment. The Government will not grant a licence for items where we determine there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate internal repression or a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

Yemen: Military Intervention

Alyn Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has requested an investigation into the recent attack on water reservoirs in Sa'ada city in Yemen to assess whether UK-licenced weapons were used.

James Cleverly: We are looking into reports of airstrikes affecting water infrastructure in Sa'ada governorate, Yemen, on 11 January. We urge all parties to the Yemen conflict to exercise restraint and avoid further civilian impact and suffering. The Government takes its strategic export control responsibilities very seriously. The Government will not grant an export licence if to do so would be inconsistent with the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, including respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.  All licences are kept under careful and continual review as standard.

Israel: Palestinians

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on how many occasions she has held discussions with the Israeli government on that government's designation of six Palestinian human rights organisations as terrorist organisations.

James Cleverly: The decision by the Israeli authorities to designate six Palestinian NGOs and the evidence which forms the basis of these designations is a matter for the Government of Israel. The UK maintains its own criteria for designation.

Yemen: Armed Conflict

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that parties to the conflict in Yemen that are responsible for the killing and maiming of children are held to account.

James Cleverly: The UK is an active member of the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, which considers the reports of the Secretary-General and produces recommendations for addressing the impacts of conflict on children. Yemen is one of the 14 countries considered by the Working Group. We call on all parties to conflict in Yemen to work towards a comprehensive and inclusive negotiated political solution to end the conflict, as the only sustainable way to end the suffering of children in Yemen.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Aviation

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish the (a) dates and (b) outbound destinations for each occasion when (i) she or (ii) her predecessor travelled in (A) economy, (B) business and (C) first class when using commercial flights to travel overseas on official business in (1) 2019, (2) 2020 and (3) 2021.

James Cleverly: In accordance with the Ministerial Code the FCDO publishes the costs related to overseas visits made by the Foreign Secretary as part of the Quarterly Transparency Return https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/minister-data#2020.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Heathrow Airport

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January to Question 100467 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Heathrow Airport, on how many occasions in total, and at what total cost to the public purse (a) she and (b) her predecessor made use of the VIP suites at Heathrow Airport in (i) 2019, (ii) 2020, (iii) 2021 and (iv) 2022 to date.

James Cleverly: We refer the Rt Hon member to the answers given in respect to questions 100467 and 108507.

Politics and Government: Public Participation

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of encouraging deliberative democracy to strengthen citizens engagement with UK democracy; and if she will make a statement.

James Cleverly: The UK Government welcomed the opportunity to participate in the first virtual Summit for Democracy in December, with the main topics being: Fighting Corruption; Defending Against Authoritarianism, and Advancing Human Rights. Throughout the Year of Action, we will work with the US and other Summit participants to advance the goals of the Summit and the UK's own commitments. Alongside other Summit participants, we will discuss the agenda for the second, in-person Summit as it develops throughout the year.The Government takes a keen interest in initiatives to facilitate discussion and interest in constitutional issues and the UK's constitutional arrangements, including citizens' assemblies, as part of our commitment to supporting space for the expression of a wide range of citizens' views.

Ansar Allah

Robert Jenrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in the context of recent terrorist attacks in the UAE, whether she plans to take steps to encourage international partners to designate or proscribe the Houthi’s as a terrorist organisation.

James Cleverly: The UK condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on the UAE on 17 and 24 January. We are in close contact with our Emirati partners and continue to offer our support. We share concerns about the Houthis' continual attacks on civilians in Yemen and cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE. We keep the use of sanctions under close review and supported the UN Security Council's sanctioning of four Houthi individuals in 2021.

Tigray: Armed Conflict

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information her Department holds on the situation along the border between the Tigray and Afar regions of Ethiopia since 20 January 2022.

Vicky Ford: We are aware of reports of attacks by Tigrayan forces on Abala, a town in Afar region near to the border with Tigray. The town of Abala is crucial to the delivery of humanitarian aid to Tigray.400,000 people in Tigray are experiencing famine conditions, and no aid has reached the region by road since 14 December 2021 due to a de facto humanitarian blockade. This attack makes the delivery of humanitarian aid even more difficult.On my visit to Addis Ababa on 20 January 2022 I discussed the clear need for a ceasefire and humanitarian access with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. On 25 January I called for the TPLF to stop fighting in Afar and prioritise civilians. We repeat our call for a ceasefire and we implore all parties to prioritise the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: UN Convention on Biological Diversity

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many staff in her Department have been assigned to work on the Convention of Biological Diversity; and how many Ministers in her Department plan to attend the conference from 25 April to 8 May 2022.

Vicky Ford: The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity represents an historic opportunity to secure agreement to ambitious global action over the next decade - an opportunity humanity cannot afford to miss. The UK is committed to playing a leading role in developing an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework to be adopted at COP15. The COP is due to take place in Kunming, China, later this year, though due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we expect a delay to the planned dates of 25 April to 8 May. Minister Goldsmith will head the UK delegation to COP15 to lead the call for a highly ambitious outcome.Defra is the lead department for the Convention on Biological Diversity, working closely with the FCDO and Cabinet Office. A core team is in place in Defra to deliver hugely ambitious outcomes, drawing on expertise within Defra, its specialist arms-length bodies, and working with other Government departments, civil society organisations, and society at large. This includes working with the FCDO and our Posts across the diplomatic network, through which we are engaging host governments to support delivery of our objectives. Nature is one of the key priorities in the UK's COP26 Presidency, and the Cabinet Office COP26 Unit is also supporting preparations for COP15 to ensure a successful delivery of UK objectives.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress the Government has made on sharing 100 million doses of covid-19 vaccinations by June 2022 as part of a G7 commitment to provide an additional one billion doses.

Amanda Milling: Our G7 Presidency in 2021 secured agreement from leaders to commit to sharing at least 870 million doses by June 2022. The G7 has gone further since June, and donated 770 million doses by the end of 2021 and committed to donate an additional 1.2 billion doses.We have met the UK goal of donating 30 million doses by the end of 2021, as part of our G7 pledge to donate 100 million doses by June 2022. To date, the UK has delivered 23.3 million doses to countries in need of which 17.8 million have been delivered via COVAX and 5.5 million doses donated directly. A further 7.5 million doses have been received by COVAX and will shortly be allocated and shipped in line with COVAX's fair allocation model. The Prime Minister said at the G20 in October 2021 that we will donate 20m further Astra Zeneca doses and 20 million Janssen doses to COVAX and we remain committed to meeting our 100 million pledge in full by June 2022.

Development Aid: Tuberculosis

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the impact of the recent reductions in Official Development Assistance on the provision of TB diagnostics, treatments and services.

Amanda Milling: The World Health Organisation's 2021 Global Tuberculosis Report provided an assessment of progress on TB in 2020. The report notes an 18% decline since 2019 in the reported number of people newly diagnosed with TB and a decline in TB treatment coverage from 72% in 2019 to 59% in 2020. The report attributes this to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a fall in global spending on TB diagnostic, treatment and prevention services from $5.8 billion to $5.3 billion.The majority of FCDO's funding to diagnostics, treatments and services for TB is through our investment in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The UK remains the second largest donor to the sixth replenishment (2020-2022) with a pledge of up to £1.4 billion. We also invest in TB research and innovation, to help people access new TB treatments and diagnostics, and to provide evidence on best practices to tackle the disease.

Africa: Coronavirus

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 January 2022 to Question 107528 on Africa: Coronavirus, what steps the Unilever hygiene campaign is taking to promote covid-19 vaccine uptake; and what lessons her Department has learned on the (a) efficacy and (b) value for public money of handwashing campaigns on tackling the covid-19 pandemic in the context of shifts in the scientific consensus on primary modes of covid-19 transmission.

Amanda Milling: The Hygiene, Handwashing and Behaviour Change Coalition for COVID-19 response was formed in March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic. The programme exceeded design expectations, reaching over 1.2 billion people in 37 countries with handwashing messaging, distributing over 78 million hygiene products, and training over 140,000 people, primarily healthcare workers. In December 2021, the Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs announced a new package of international action against the Omicron variant. This includes extending the coalition for promoting COVID-specific hygiene behaviours. Encouraging vaccine uptake is planned for the extended programme.Evidence and knowledge about the transmission of the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve rapidly, including with the rise of new variants. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) advice based on the latest evidence remains that, alongside other protective measures such as mask wearing and social distancing, hand washing is an important public health intervention that helps curb COVID-19 transmission. This is especially the case in the absence of vaccines and boosters. The London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine continues to provide advice across the consortium on overall priorities and the detail of hygiene messaging in the context of the best available evidence on efficacy and value for money.

Peace

Alyn Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing a Peace Institute associated with the work of her Department.

Amanda Milling: As outlined in the Integrated Review (IR), the UK is committed to working to reduce the frequency and intensity of conflict and instability. The FCDO's Conflict Directorate, formed in response to this IR commitment, will support a more integrated HMG approach, and include provision of a specialist capability on peace process and mediation support. The UK has a vibrant and expert community of peacebuilding organisations, academics and practitioners. In line with the IR, the FCDO will seek to draw upon expertise from across this UK-based community and the wider sector globally.

Yemen: Armed Conflict

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government plans to take as penholder for Yemen on the UN Security Council in response to the recent escalation in conflict in that country.

James Cleverly: The UK will continue to use its role as penholder in Yemen to support UN-led efforts towards peace. I hosted UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in London on 10 January and discussed with him again on 26 January UK support for UN led peace efforts to drive forward the political process in Yemen.

Yemen: Armed Conflict

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had on the reported Houthi offer of direct talks in Sanna with representatives of Saudi Arabia, UAE, the US and the UK; and if she will make a statement.

James Cleverly: A negotiated political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen. The UK supports fully the efforts of the UN Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, to drive forward the political process in Yemen. The Foreign Secretary and Ministers continue to lobby the parties to engage constructively with the Special Envoy.

European Union

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has taken steps to contribute to review of the EU through the Future of Europe process.

Chris Heaton-Harris: As of 31 January 2020, the UK is no longer a Member State of the European Union, and therefore is not participating in the initiative.

Ukraine: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's capacity to monitor incursions and incidents in the Donetsk region, including shellings, sniping and military drone use.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is the international community's eyes and ears on the ground in eastern Ukraine. It plays a crucial role to gather information and report on the security situation; and establish and report facts in response to specific incidents. In recent months, however, the SMM has faced unprecedented restrictions on its freedom of movement, overwhelmingly in non-government controlled areas, as well as the targeting of its technological capabilities. We continue to call on Russia to ensure the Mission has free, safe and unconditional access throughout Ukraine.

Trans-Dniestr: Politics and Government

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to monitor the political and military situations in Transnistria with regards to a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Our Embassy in Chisinau closely monitors political and military developments in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, including through regular dialogue with the Government of Moldova, the OSCE Mission to Moldova, and international partners. Members of the Embassy regularly visit the Transnistrian region in order to assess the situation at first hand and to discuss developments with a variety of contacts there, including the de facto leadership.We have repeatedly made clear that any Russian incursion into Ukraine would be met with strength, including massive economic consequences through coordinated sanctions by allies and partners targeting Russian financial transactions, assets, and individuals.

Russia: Ukraine

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Russian officials on whether they have considered releasing Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Chris Heaton-Harris: We regularly use our public communications and position in multilateral fora, such as the UN and the OSCE, to call on Russia to release Ukrainian political prisoners detained in Crimea and Russia.We strongly support the objective of the International Crimea Platform to unite efforts aimed at achieving the immediate and unconditional release of Ukrainian citizens detained or convicted for political reasons.

Ukraine: Aviation

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to help secure justice for the victims of flight MH17, including John Alder and Liam Sweeney.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The British Government continues to support the ongoing work of the MH17 Joint Investigation Team. We made a financial contribution towards the specialist criminal court in the Netherlands, which is conducting the MH17 trial. This trial will ensure that families and friends of the victims receive answers, and that those responsible are held to account for this appalling crime. FCDO consular officials have provided support to UK bereaved families, including hosting briefings for bereaved family members with representatives from the Dutch Public Prosecutors Office, the Joint Investigation Team, and Victim Support Netherlands.The Government joins the Netherlands and Australia in calling on the Russian Federation to accept state responsibility, and to cooperate with the court to deliver justice for the victims of this tragedy.

Russia: Jehovah's Witnesses

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to support freedom of religion or belief for Jehovah's Witnesses imprisoned in Russia.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The UK is deeply concerned about the situation of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Russian Federation. In all levels of bilateral engagement, we continue to call on the Russian authorities to end the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses, and to uphold their commitments on the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, for all individuals across the Russian Federation. The FCDO remains in regular contact with representatives of the Jehovah's Witnesses in the UK and Russia.

Balkans: Security

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the impact of any potential Russian invasion of Ukraine on security and political stability in the Balkan region.

Chris Heaton-Harris: We are observing a concerning pattern of Russian behaviour that threatens the rules-based international system and aims to hamper the Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries of the Western Balkans and elsewhere. As set out in the Integrated Review, the UK takes the threat from the Russian State extremely seriously and we will continue to call out Russian aggression. The Prime Minister has appointed Sir Stuart Peach as Special Envoy to the Western Balkans. He has long experience in the region, as former UK Chief of the Defence Staff and Chair of NATO's military committee. Sir Stuart is undertaking extensive travel across the region and working closely with international partners to promote regional stability, security and reconciliation. In addition, we are using our diplomatic heft, and our Conflict, Stability and Security Fund programmes to strengthen regional stability, increase resilience against hostile state activity and cyber-attacks.

Ukraine: British Nationals Abroad

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many UK nationals are in Ukraine.

Chris Heaton-Harris: We do not comment on our own internal planning assumptions, which are drawn from a variety of sources including Ukrainian and UK data. In view of the heightened tension, we are now asking British nationals in Ukraine to confirm their presence with us.

Ministry of Defence

Afghanistan: Refugees

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate she has made of the proportion of Afghans who are eligible under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy are still in Afghanistan.

James Heappey: The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy is an enduring scheme. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and each given due process and applicants may apply from anywhere in the world. For this reason, no estimate of total Afghans who are likely to be eligible under the scheme and are still in Afghanistan has been made. As at, 26 January 2022 over 8,000 ARAP eligible Afghans, principles and dependants, have been relocated to the UK and casework continues seven days a week to process pending applications.

Military Aid: Armed Forces

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 16 December 2021 to Question 91832, on Military Aid: Armed Forces, when he plans to publish MACA updates in the Library of the House.

James Heappey: As announced previously, a fortnightly summary of Defence assistance to the COVID response and UK resilience tasks will be placed in the Library of the House commencing this month, with the first such document placed today.

Shipping: Procurement

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which company has been awarded the Special Purpose Vessel contract.

Jeremy Quin: The Contract Award will be formally confirmed after the standstill period has ended which is due to be on 3 February 2022. The Contract Award Notices will then be published once a contract has been signed.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pensions

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average passage of time is between the submission of an application for a payment under War Pensions or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and the receipt of that payment.

Leo Docherty: The time taken to process applications is spent assessing the eligibility and entitlement of the claimant. The average clearance times and targets for the War Pension Scheme (WPS) and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) as at 31 December 2021 are detailed in the table below:Claim TypeTarget Clearance TimeAverage Clearance TimeWPS Claims127 Days141 DaysAFCS Claims90 Days90 Days The AFCS average clearance time is now achieving the 90-day target and WPS is expected to recover the 127-day target in February 2022. Official statistics on clearance times as at 31 March are published annually on gov.uk.

Government: Procurement

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria there are in the Government's procurement policy on providing social value.

Jeremy Quin: In September 2020, the Cabinet Office published Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/20 covering social value benefits. The Ministry of Defence has implemented PPN 06/20 which defines the social value themes and model award criteria to be used in relevant government procurements. The Model requires a minimum of 10% of the total tender evaluation weighting to be allocated to specified social value criteria. The Model and associated guidance note can be accessed on the gov.uk website: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/940826/Social-Value-Model-Edn-1.1-3-Dec-20.pdf https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/940827/Guide-to-using-the-Social-Value-Model-Edn-1.1-3-Dec-20.pdf

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pensions

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that, in the process of a veteran making a claim under the War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and then appealing that claim, the Veterans UK medical assessor who makes a decision on the initial claim and the Veterans UK medical assessor who makes a decision on the appeal are not the same person.

Leo Docherty: Veterans UK Medical Advisors do not make decisions on appeals. Appeals are decided by the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal in England and Wales, or the respective Pensions Appeal Tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland. These are judicial bodies independent of the Ministry of Defence. Each tribunal has an independent medical member as part of the decision-making panel.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pensions

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2022 to Question 102709, on Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pensions, whether caseworkers from the Veterans UK Operational Appeals team are the same individuals as Veterans UK medical assessors.

Leo Docherty: I can confirm the caseworkers from the Veterans UK Operational Appeals team are not the same individuals as Veterans UK medical advisors.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pensions

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 25 January 2022 to Question 108581 on Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pensions, in what format his Department holds the information requested.

Leo Docherty: The data required to establish how many applicants withdrew or did not take steps to progress their claim is held in the paper file for each case.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2022 to Question 101733 on Afghanistan: Refugees, whether the R reference code confirms eligibility to relocate to the UK.

James Heappey: An 'R' reference code is assigned to an Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) applications once it has been assessed as successful against ARAP criteria at the first stage of the application process and precedes a range of checks by both Ministry of Defence and UK Visas and Immigration. This does not confer eligibility for relocation to the UK.

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason records on Channel crossings by migrants will be published on a three month basis as opposed to daily records once responsibility is assumed by the navy.

James Heappey: Detailed planning for Operation ISOTROPE is underway and no final decisions have been made in relation to the frequency of reporting of Channel migration data by the Ministry of Defence. Further information will be made available to the House in due course.

Afghanistan: Refugees

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people eligible under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy have been relocated to the UK in each month since August 2021.

James Heappey: The Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) has been one of the most generous in the world, under which circa.1,300 Locally Employed Staff (LES) and others who supported the UK mission in Afghanistan have been relocated to the UK since April 2021, with a large proportion being evacuated on over 100 RAF flights as part of Operation PITTING. We owe a debt of gratitude to all Afghan nationals who risked their lives working alongside UK forces. For this reason, the ARAP scheme is not time-limited and will endure, facilitating the relocation of eligible Afghans and their families, from third countries if possible. As at 26 January 2022, the number of ARAP eligible principles relocated by month is shown in the table below: April0May1June24July188August (inc Op PITTING)981September19October41November81December60January84Total 1,479 As at 26 January 2022 the overall total of ARAP eligible people (principles and dependants) who have been relocated to the UK since April 2021 is: Prior to Op PITTING1,978During Op PITTINGApproximately 5,000Since Op PITTING1,210

Joint Exercises: Artificial intelligence

Alyn Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a list of the systems and technologies that utilised autonomy and/or machine learning during the Contested Urban Environment (CUE) exercise with the five-eye nations in September and October 2021.

Jeremy Quin: CUE2021 was a multi-national event to test the latest intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technology capabilities, working with US, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand allies. It comprised a series of experiments that were designed to explore new technologies that could help address some of the challenges faced by military personnel operating in overseas city environments.The following technologies that attended CUE2021 employed either autonomy or machine learning: Technologies and advanced sensors to enhance Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability: Sensors for Asset Protection using Integrated Electronic Network TechnologyWISDOM Research & Development Platform for Data/Information/Knowledge Integration, Fusion, and AnalyticsNetwork Uncrewed Systems for Intelligence Preparation of the EnvironmentCommand & Control for Uncrewed Vehicle Transfer of Tactical Control. Systems to autonomously prioritise information that is presented to the human analyst, using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to identify threats: RESTful AnalyticsArtificial Intelligence for the detection of crowdsSieve, Process, ForwardTrack Analytics for Effective Triage of Wide Area Surveillance Data Robotic and Autonomous Systems to remove human operators from dangerous tasks by supporting logistics re-supply: Joint Tactical Autonomous Resupply and Replenishment.

Autonomous Weapons: International Cooperation

Alyn Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the UK to bring forward global measures to tackle the development of lethal autonomous weapons systems in response to the December 2021 Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Jeremy Quin: We were pleased that the Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons renewed the mandate of the Group of Government Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems. The UK will continue to play a leading and active role in that forum, working with the international community to agree norms and positive obligations to ensure the safe and responsible use of autonomy, balancing the legitimate security interest in these new technologies with humanitarian, ethical and legal concerns.

York: Military Bases

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to revisit the commitments of the Government prior to the 2015 election on the future of York as a long term home for the armed forces.

Jeremy Quin: The Armed Forces must always evolve and adapt to meet current and future threats. The Defence Command Paper, Defence in a Competitive Age, made it clear that the future basing of the Army will reflect the needs of the service.

York: Military Bases

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what impact the closure of the barracks in York will have on the role of Royal Saluting based in York; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect of any impact on Royal saluting on York.

Jeremy Quin: There are currently no plans to suspend the Royal Gun Salutes which take place at York Museum Gardens. This is a secondary saluting station which, like all saluting stations that are not on the Defence Estate, is utilised through an enabling agreement. Locations and categorisations are routinely reviewed and amended only with agreement from Her Majesty The Queen.

Rifles

Dave Doogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the gross inventory of serviceable SA80 rifles of A2 and A3 variants is in his Department.

Jeremy Quin: For operational security reasons we do not break down numbers of serviceable weapons, however there is a total inventory of 134,912 SA80 A2 variants and 17,900 SA80 A3 variants held across defence.

Handguns

Dave Doogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the gross inventory of serviceable Glock 17 pistols and holsters is within his Department.

Jeremy Quin: For operational security reasons we do not break down numbers of serviceable weapons, however there is a total inventory of 27,977 Glock 17 pistols across defence and currently 22,445 holsters.

HMS Montrose: Decommissioning

Dave Doogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date HMS Montrose will be decommissioned.

Jeremy Quin: As reported to the House of Commons Defence Committee, HMS MONTROSE's out of service date is 2023.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Overpayments

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the (a) number of people who have been overpaid and (b) the amount that has been overpaid, in error by her Department in Wales in each year since 2012.

David Rutley: We do not hold the requested information broken down by individual country or region.

Social Security Benefits: Overpayments

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the average length of time between the incurring of debts by claimants through overpayment of benefits as a result of errors made by her Department and the issuing of a Direct Earning Attachment by her Department to recover those debts.

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Direct Earnings Attachments her Department has issued for debts that have been outstanding for two years or longer in Wales in each year since 2012.

David Rutley: We do not hold the requested information broken down by individual country or region. DWP’s primary method of debt recovery is by deduction from any on-going benefit that might be in payment. There are limits on the amount we can deduct, as prescribed by legislation. In Universal Credit the maximum we can deduct, formerly 40% of the Universal Credit Standard Allowance, was reduced from 30% to 25% in April 2021.Where recovery from ongoing benefit entitlement is not possible, DWP will seek to agree a voluntary repayment plan with the debtor, taking into account the amount they can reasonably afford to repay each month.Where a person fails to agree a voluntary repayment plan, we can apply a Direct Earnings Attachment which allows deductions to be taken directly from a person’s earnings. A Direct Earnings Attachment will reflect the customer’s overall outstanding balance due, rather than any individual debt. Some recovery may already have been made by other methods prior to a Direct Earnings Attachment being issued.Anyone with overpayment deductions who experiences financial hardship is encouraged to contact the Department’s Debt Management unit. Where a person cannot afford the proposed rate of these deductions, a lower amount can be negotiated.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Hunting

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring that any fox or wild animal killed in trail hunting be reported by a hunt and that that data be made accessible to the public, identifying the hunt and the number of animals.

Rebecca Pow: The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offence to hunt a wild mammal with dogs except where it is carried out in accordance with the exemptions in the Act. The Government will not amend the Hunting Act 2004. Those found guilty under the Act are subject to the full force of the law, and enforcement is an operational matter for the police.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: UN Convention on Biological Diversity

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in his Department have been assigned to work on the Convention of Biological Diversity; and how many Ministers in his Department plan to attend the conference from 25 April to 8 May 2022.

Rebecca Pow: The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity represents an historic opportunity to secure agreement to ambitious global action over the next decade. The UK is committed to playing a leading role in developing an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework to be adopted at COP15. The COP is due to take place in Kunming, China, later this year, though due to the coronavirus pandemic, we expect a delay to the planned dates of 25 April to 8 May. Minister Goldsmith will head the UK delegation. Defra is the lead department for the Convention on Biological Diversity, working closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) and Cabinet Office. A core team is in place in Defra, drawing on expertise across Defra, its specialist arm’s-length bodies, and working with other Government departments, civil society organisations, and society at large. This includes working with the FCDO and our Posts across the diplomatic network, through which we are engaging host governments to support the delivery of our objectives. Nature is one of the key priorities in the UK’s COP26 Presidency, and so the Cabinet Office COP26 Unit is also supporting preparations for COP15 to ensure a successful delivery of our COP26 objectives.

Animal Products: Imports

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many animal trophies from hunting have entered the UK in the last year for which records are available.

Rebecca Pow: The UK recorded 26 imports of hunting trophies under CITES in 2020, the latest full year for which data is available. Data for 2021 is currently being finalised and Defra will update the hon. Member as soon as this process is complete, which we expect to be in spring 2022. In due course, finalised data should also become available through the CITES trade database at https://trade.cites.org/.

Floods: Insurance

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dwellings have secured home insurance through the Flood Re scheme in Belfast East constituency in each year since that scheme's commencement in 2016.

Rebecca Pow: Flood Re’s statistics run from October 2017 and are reported twice a year, with the most recent confirmed data in April 2021. The data shows a steady increase in the number of properties ceded to the Flood Re scheme within Belfast East. CountryConstituencyQ4 2017Q2 2018Q4 2018Q2 2019Q4 2019Q2 2020Q4 2020Q2 2021Northern IrelandBelfast East392364395479550550583635

Food: Prices

Colleen Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of food price rises on household budgets in (a) Coventry North East constituency, (b) Coventry, (c) the West Midlands and (d) England.

Victoria Prentis: The Government monitors consumer food prices using the Consumer Prices Index including Housing costs (CPIH). Food prices are traditionally impacted by a wide range of domestic and international factors – from local manufacturing costs to global commodity prices. Given strong competition in the UK food retail sector, retailers normally try to absorb short term cost pressures for a period of time. In any given year, food prices tend to go up and down. Food prices are set individually by businesses and it is not for the UK Government to set retail food prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions by companies. Defra analysis suggests that a 1% increase in food prices costs the average household an additional £33 per year. The Government has put in place measures to support vulnerable and low-income households, including the £500 million Household Support Fund. Coventry City Council has been allocated £3,224,222.30 from this fund to support residents with the cost of food, utilities and wider essentials over the coming months.

Environmental Land Management Scheme

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Environmental Land Management schemes will reward farmers and land managers for steps they take to improve access to the countryside for disabled people.

Victoria Prentis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huddersfield on 19 January 2022, PQ UIN 100429. Increasing access into the countryside is currently supported by existing schemes and other mechanisms already in place. We are still considering our approach to increasing and maintaining access to the countryside in our future schemes, including our environmental land management schemes. This includes access to the countryside for people with disabilities.

Food: Prices

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of recent price rises of food in supermarkets on progress towards implementation of recommendations made in the National Food Strategy July 2021.

Victoria Prentis: The Government monitors consumer food prices using the Consumer Prices Index (including Housing Costs) CPIH. Food prices are set individually by businesses and it is not for the UK Government to set retail food prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions by companies. Henry Dimbleby published his independent food review in July 2021. We are considering the review’s recommendations and will set out our plans shortly in the Government Food Strategy. We are committed to ensuring a healthier, more sustainable, more resilient, and more accessible food system that levels up our country.

Food: Prices

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of recent food price rises on the ability of lower-income households to eat a balanced diet including five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Victoria Prentis: The Government monitors consumer food prices using the Consumer Prices Index including Housing costs (CPIH). Food prices are traditionally impacted by a wide range of domestic and international factors – from local manufacturing costs to global commodity prices. Given strong competition in the UK food retail sector, retailers normally try to absorb short term cost pressures for a period of time. In any given year, food prices tend to go up and down. Food prices are set individually by businesses and it is not for the UK Government to set retail food prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions by companies. In December 2021 we published the first UK Food Security Report which included data on household food security and food prices. This found that over the past ten years vegetables have become cheaper in real terms, whilst fruit costs more in real terms compared with ten years ago. We have put in place measures to support vulnerable and low-income households, including the £500 million Household Support Fund to help with the cost of food, utilities and wider essentials over the coming months.

UK Trade with EU: Animal Products and Food

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish a timetable for finalising an EU-UK SPS agreement under the Trade Specialised Committee of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement; and if he will provide details of engagements he (a) has had or (b) plans to have with representatives of relevant business sectors in connection with that agreement.

Victoria Prentis: The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) includes an SPS chapter which allows the UK and the EU to take a risk-based approach to our respective SPS border controls and provides a basis for cooperation on avoiding unnecessary barriers to trade. A key part of this is the Trade Specialised Committee, which is tasked with regularly reviewing the Parties' SPS measures, including certification requirements and border clearance processes, and their application, in order to facilitate trade between the Parties. We are open to discussions with the EU on additional steps to further reduce trade friction, but these cannot be on the basis of future alignment with EU rules. This would compromise UK sovereignty over our own laws. We regularly engage with industry stakeholders to seek their views on SPS trade issues under the TCA. As part of this engagement, we have and will continue to use existing mechanisms, such as the Ministerial F4 meeting and its Borders and Transport sub-group, to gather views from across the food chain.

Environmental Land Management Scheme

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Environmental Land Management schemes will reward farmers and land managers for the creation of new paths to improve public access to the countryside.

Victoria Prentis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huddersfield on 19 January 2022, PQ UIN 100429. Increasing access into the countryside is currently supported by existing schemes and other mechanisms already in place. We are still considering our approach to increasing and maintaining access to the countryside in our future schemes, including our environmental land management schemes. This includes the creation of new paths to improve public access to the countryside.

Veterinary Medicine: Poverty

Colleen Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to help increase access to veterinary care for animal owners on low incomes in (a) Coventry North East constituency, (b) Coventry, (c) the West Midlands and (d) England.

Jo Churchill: The price charged for veterinary care is a commercial arrangement between veterinary practices and their customers. There are, however, charitable organisations across the country that support pet owners on low incomes, including the PDSA (Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals) in the Coventry area. My officials are considering proposals for legislative reform from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons that would permit certain activities to be delegated to highly trained allied professionals. This may alter the costs of a range of services for all pet owners.

Cattle: Parasitic Diseases

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with dog owners to highlight the risks of neospora to cattle.

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help raise public awareness of the consequences for cattle of Neospora and its connection dog faeces.

Jo Churchill: Neospora is a parasite. Neospora caninum may cause abortions in cattle and paralysis in dogs. It is not considered to be infectious to humans. Clinical disease in dogs is rare and owners may not be aware of infection in their pet. The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs was presented to Parliament in December 2017. It makes clear that a dog’s handler has a legal obligation to clean up after it (Welfare of Dogs). Similarly, the statutory guidance within the Countryside Code: Advice for Countryside Visitors, updated 01 April 2021, (Countryside Code) highlights the risk of illness to people and livestock, and sets out that dog handlers must clean up after the dog. Guidance and advice for cattle owners on preventative measures has been provided by the National Animal Disease Information Service NADIS - National Animal Disease Information Service.

Circuses: Animal Welfare

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of animals that have been used in a circus in the last year for which records are available, by type of animal.

Jo Churchill: The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 require that anyone in the business of keeping or training animals for exhibition needs a valid licence from their local authority. Licensees must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse or revoke licences. Since 20 January 2020, it has been illegal in England for any travelling circus to use wild animals as part of a circus. Circuses that exhibit domestic animals are required to have a licence under the 2018 regulations. Defra does not collect data on the number of animals licenced under the 2018 regulations for exhibition in circuses in England. Individual local authorities should each hold this information.

Plastics: Regulation

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many submissions her Department has received from (a) members of the public and (b) stakeholders in response to its Consultation on proposals to ban commonly littered single-use plastic items in England.

Jo Churchill: 23,000 so far, of which 88% of those responding via our online consultation site were responding as members of the public. The consultation does not close until 12 February, so I would encourage as many as possible to have their say.

Clean Air Zones: Greater Manchester

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he briefed Conservative hon. Members from Greater Manchester on the clean air zone on 19 January 2022.

Jo Churchill: Following a written request from several Conservative MPs to meet with the Defra Secretary of State, the meeting took place on 19 January 2022.The Secretary of State and I also met with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham on 26 January 2022.

Members: Correspondence

Robert Largan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for High Peak of 23 November 2021, reference RL30138.

Victoria Prentis: I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member. A reply is being prepared and will be issued very shortly.

Coastal Areas: Economic Situation and Environment Protection

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the (a) economic and (b) environmental sustainability of coastal communities.

Victoria Prentis: Coastal communities are crucial to this Government’s levelling-up agenda. Leaving the EU has given the UK fishing industry a welcome boost – we have seen quota uplifts that will amount to £146 million by 2026. This in turn is benefitting wider coastal communities, as is our UK Seafood Fund.The UK Seafood Fund Infrastructure scheme, totalling at least £65 million, will invest in ports, processing facilities and aquaculture for the seafood industry. This infrastructure is critical for the seafood industry which supports so many of our coastal communities. Additionally, we have announced £24 million for science and innovation, supporting our ambition to see the most sustainable fishing industry and coastal communities in the world.The Government looks forward to continuing to work closely with fishermen and stakeholders, utilising the recently established Regional Fisheries Groups as a forum to build more collaborative working relationships with the inshore industry to support economic and environmental sustainability in their local coastal communities.

Home Office

Proscribed Organisations

Robert Jenrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the context of recent terrorist attacks in the UAE, whether she has plans to proscribe the Houthi’s as a terrorist organisation.

Damian Hinds: The Government condemns the recent attack in Abu Dhabi.The Government does not routinely comment on intelligence matters, including whether an organisation is or is not under consideration for proscription. The Government keeps the list of proscribed organisations under review.

Peacekeeping Operations: Ukraine

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Department is monitoring the actions of UK nationals acting as mercenaries in the Ukraine.

Damian Hinds: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Visas: Turkey

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many ECAA visa renewal cases are waiting to be processed.

Kevin Foster: This information requested is routinely published as part of UKVI Transparency data.The most recent data that is published can be found here: Visas and Citizenship data: Q3 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).Information relating to ECAA Businesspersons under consideration can be found on worksheet VC_03.Data for Q4 2021 will be published in the next transparency data release.

Visas: Skilled Workers

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Skilled Worker Tier 2 category visas were granted within each employment industry sector, as listed in the Office for National Statistics’ Labour Force Survey, in each quarter since 2015.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of Skilled Worker (Tier 2) category visa applications were successful amongst those applying to work in the professional, scientific and technical activities employment category in each quarter since 2015.

Kevin Foster: Home Office Migration Statistics do not specifically capture the information on how many visas are granted by sector. We do publish data on the total number of certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) used, which can be found in our latest Work sponsorship data tables. The data in table CoS_D01 can be broken down by industry, which are the same as those listed in the ONS Labour Force Survey.However, the number of CoS used is approximate to the number of visa applications received. There is no standard way of linking data on the numbers of CoS which have been used to make visa applications with the numbers of visas granted.

British Nationality

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2022 to Question 101714 on British Nationality, whether a person can be deprived of their British citizenship on the basis that they are eligible for Israeli citizenship under Israel's law of return.

Kevin Foster: The statutory provision on deprivation of citizenship is contained in Section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981 (BNA). This provision can be applied by the Secretary of State to deprive a person of a citizenship status if they have obtained their citizenship fraudulently or where the Secretary of State is satisfied that deprivation is conducive to the public good. Deprivation on conducive grounds is used sparingly against those who pose a serious threat to the UK or whose conduct involves very high harm.Each decision is made following careful consideration of individual countries’ nationality laws, using expert advice where appropriate, and in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. An individual can also seek to exercise their statutory right to appeal against a decision.

Members: Correspondence

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to respond to the email from the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley dated 1 December 2021, case reference LH15356; and if her Department will provide an update on that family's urgent application.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office responded to the correspondence on 26 January 2022.

Members: Correspondence

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of correspondence from hon. Members is answered by the Home Office MP Account Management Team (a) within the 20 working day standard, (b) between 20 and 30 working days and (c) over 30 working days; and what the average response time is for enquiries made to the urgent inbox.

Kevin Foster: The Department works to a target of responding to 95% of Hon. Members written correspondence within 20 working days.Performance has been impacted by a very significant increase in the volume of correspondence received, including the unprecedented amount of correspondence about the situation in Afghanistan. Ministers and officials have also had to instigate a remote process for drafting and signing correspondence during the period of COVID-19 restrictions.The Department recognises that it has not been able to meet service standard in some cases but has implemented an action plan to clear backlogs and drive up performance. The Department has recruited additional resources and expects to return to answering Hon. Member’s correspondence within service standard by the end of March 2022.Data about intake and performance in answering Hon. Members correspondence are published quarterly with the latest Quarter available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/customer-service-operations-data-q3-2021 and this includes data up to and including the end of quarter 3 - 2021.The Department does not publish data about the number of cases still awaiting a response after 20-30 days, over 30 days or those specifically made to the MPs urgent inbox.

Immigration: Appeals

Matt Western: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average length of time is for an applicant who has been successful on an immigration appeal to receive their visa.

Kevin Foster: The requested information cannot be accurately extracted from our internal systems. To provide this information would require a manual trawl of successful appeals and to do so would incur disproportionate cost. Where an appeal has been allowed in favour of the appellant, and is not subject to onward appeal, we take all reasonable steps to implement the allowed appeal in a timely manner.

Asylum: Interviews

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will publish information providing the average time taken from the date of an asylum claim to the date of a substantive asylum interview taking place for each of the least three years.

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the time taken between an asylum claim and a substantive asylum interview.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office does not currently report on the average time that is taken between the date of an asylum claim to the date of a substantive asylum interview taking place. However, the Home Office does publish data on the number asylum applications awaiting an initial decision by duration, for main applicants only. This data can be found at Asy_04 of the published Immigration Statistics:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-september-2021/list-of-tables#asylum-and-resettlementWe are investing in a programme of transformation and business improvement initiatives that will speed up and simplify our processes, reduce the time people spend in the asylum system and decrease the number of people who are awaiting an interview or decision. These initiatives include conducting shorter, more focused interviews or omitting interviews where it is appropriate to do so, streamlining decision templates for grants and refusals and focusing on improving quality to ensure decisions are right first time. We have extensive recruitment and training plans in place, including career progression options that will aid the retention of staff.We are continuing to develop existing and new technology to help build on recent improvements such as digital interviewing and move away from a paper-based system. We are streamlining and digitising the case working process to enable more effective workflow, appointment booking and decision-making. Additionally, we have introduced specialist Decision Making Units, providing greater ownership and management of cohorts of asylum cases.

Chevening Scholarships Programme

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of when Chevening Scholars who arrived in the UK via Operation Pitting on six-month visas which expire in February 2022 will receive documentation to confirm their indefinite leave to remain status in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Victoria Atkins: In recognition of the urgency of the evacuation and the need to act quickly, the majority of those who entered the UK during the evacuation phase were granted limited leave to enter, usually for 6 months, with access to public funds and employment. This status is not a bar to them being permanently housed or to starting their life in the UK, including taking employment.Our aim is to conclude the process of confirmation of Indefinite Leave to Remain status before anyone’s leave expires.

Domestic Abuse: Victims

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what financial support is available for victims of domestic abuse after their abuser has been put into custody in cases where they hold joint assets with their abuser and find themselves solely responsible for mortgage payments and other expenses.

Rachel Maclean: Tackling domestic abuse is a key priority for this Government and we are committed to supporting all victims of this abhorrent crime. Under our landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021, economic abuse is now recognised in law as part of the statutory definition of domestic abuse - in recognition of the devasting impact in can have on victims’ lives.In the coming months we will publish a strategy dedicated to tackling domestic abuse, which will seek to transform the whole of society’s response in order to prevent offending, support victims and pursue perpetrators, as well as to strengthen the systems in place needed to deliver these goals.It is vital that the financial sector is also able to appropriately respond to economic abuse and provide victims with the support they need. In February 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published updated guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers, including specific reference to economic control and abuse when considering what can contribute to an individual’s vulnerability. Financial services should also refer to UK Finance’s updated Financial Abuse Code which aims to increase awareness of economic abuse and sets out how participating banks and building societies should support customers.In addition, we support and fund organisations that promote awareness of economic abuse, including Surviving Economic Abuse who have received £567,000 of funding between 2018-2022 to increase awareness of economic abuse and support victims.The Government also offers “Support for Mortgage Interest” (SMI) loans to homeowners in receipt of an income-related benefit to help prevent repossession. The Mortgage Pre-Action Protocol also makes clear that repossession must always be the last resort. As such, it is vital that homeowners who are having trouble paying their mortgage or are worried about meeting payments, make early contact with their lender.

Domestic Abuse and Suicide

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data the Government collects on the relationship between domestic abuse and death by suicide.

Rachel Maclean: The Home Office funded the Domestic Homicide and Suspected Victim Suicides Project in 2020. This was led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing and hosted by the Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme to monitor domestic homicides during the pandemic to build our evidence base on domestic homicides and suicides following domestic abuse.This project is the first-time data on victim suicides has been collected nationally for the Home Office. The Government does not routinely collect data on the relationship between domestic abuse and death by suicide. Official suicide death registrations data is collected and published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) but this does not include information about possible contributory factors in a suicide such as domestic abuse.The first 12-month Domestic Homicide and Suspected Victim Suicides Project Domestic Homicides and Suspected Victim Suicides During the Covid-19 Pandemic 2020-2021 (publishing.service.gov.uk) report was published on 25 August 2021 and includes some limited information on suspected suicides of individuals with a known history of domestic abuse victimisation. We continue to fund the project, which is now in its second year.In addition to this, Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) must be considered for all deaths involving a person over the age of 16 where domestic abuse has, or appears to have been a factor. This includes deaths by suicides. We are undertaking a project to create a central repository for all DHRs which will allow us to better understand the patterns and trends of domestic homicides and suicides of individuals with a known history of domestic abuse victimisation.

Sexual Harassment

Beth Winter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to assess gaps in the existing legal framework regarding making public sexual harassment a specific criminal offence.

Rachel Maclean: Sexual harassment in public places is an appalling practice, which this Government is committed to tackling. Women and girls have the right to both be and feel safe on our streets.As set out in the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, published last July, we are looking carefully at where there may be gaps in existing law and how a specific offence for public sexual harassment could address those. This includes paying close attention to the views and reports of campaigners in this area. We are also closely considering the recent comments of the Law Commission on this subject.In addition, in order to tackle public sexual harassment:In September 2021, we launched the pilot of an online tool, StreetSafe, which enables the public to report anonymously areas where they feel unsafe and identify what about the location made them feel this way. The data is then used to inform local decision-making. Several thousand people have used the tool to date.In October we announced awards of £23.5 million to Police and Crime Commissioners and local authorities under Round 3 of the Safer Streets Fund to make public spaces safer for everyone through projects to help women and girls feel safer on the streets.In November we announced the results of our separate, £5 million Safety of Women at Night fund, funding interventions which focus on preventing violence against women and girls in public spaces at night, including in the night-time economyIn December the College of Policing published a new advice product for police officers, advising them about the preventative strategies and criminal offences which they can use to respond to reports of various different types of public sexual harassment.The public communications campaign to which we committed in the Tackling VAWG Strategy will seek to change public attitudes and tolerance towards crimes such as public sexual harassment and help create an atmosphere in which women and girls can report such crimes to the police with confidence.

Rape: Prosecutions

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when findings on the police and CPS response to prosecuting rape offences from the first phase of Project Soteria, which was announced in the cross-Government end-to-end rape review published in June 2021, will be made public.

Rachel Maclean: Operation Soteria is a joint police-Crown Prosecution Service programme designed to drive improvements in the handling of rape cases, with an overarching aim to build a new national operating model for the investigation of rape and serious sexual assault.The Home Office is providing funding for five police forces – Avon and Somerset, the Metropolitan Police Service, Durham, West Midlands and South Wales - to participating in intensive academic research, and the resulting recommendations, tools and techniques are embedded in each force.Research has concluded in Avon and Somerset and the Metropolitan Police Service and recently commenced in Durham.Findings from the research are shared with police and prosecutors nationally as soon as they are available, including through the National Rape and Sexual Offences Learning Network events. The most recent national learning event took place on the 11 January and outlined findings from research in Avon and Somerset and the Metropolitan Police Service. This event was attended by close to 300 practitioners, with 39 forces represented.In addition, progress updates on Operation Soteria form part of the Government’s regular rape review progress updates, the first of which was published on 9 December 2021.

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 24 January 2022 to Question 107452 on Undocumented Migrants: English Channel, what type of request her Department submitted to the Ministry of Defence to request the military's help to assist with Channel crossings.

Tom Pursglove: The Government is determined to prevent further loss of life in the Channel and break the business model of dangerous criminal people smugglers. The UK armed forces already work closely with Border Force in these operations, given their expertise and experience in maritime operations. This is a complex global issue requiring a response across the whole of government, and it is right that we pursue all options to prevent illegal crossings and protect life at sea. The Government’s New Plan for Immigration will help deter illegal migration and break the business model of the criminal gangs.

Refugees: Housing

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of prolonged stays in bridging accommodation on the ability of refugees to settle in other parts of the UK.

Victoria Atkins: Operation Warm Welcome is a significant cross-government effort, working with local authorities, NGOs, housing organisations and the commercial sector to explore all options available to meet the need for housing. We are working closely with Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities and other stakeholders to identify a range of alternative accommodation options to minimise hotel use and to enable people to get into accommodation as quickly as possible in order for them to begin their new lives here in the UK.We do not want to keep people in temporary accommodation for any longer than is absolutely necessary and more than 4,000 Afghans who arrived in the UK before, during, and after Operation Pitting have either been matched or are in the process of being matched into properties.We currently have Home Office Liaison Officers (HOLO’s) who’s role is to provide support to those in bridging hotel accommodation. The role of the HOLO is to provide both face to face support and remote support when not physically present. They are reactive to the needs of those accommodated in hotels and can provide signposting to other government departments and Local Authorities and ensure safeguarding concerns are appropriately acted upon.There is a huge effort underway to get families into permanent homes as soon as we can so they can settle and rebuild their lives, and to ensure those still temporarily accommodated in hotels have access to healthcare, education, any essential items they need as well as employment opportunities or Universal Credit.We have a range of criteria which is taken into consideration when allocating families into permanent accommodation to allow for the best possible matches, this includes family size, vulnerabilities and availability of housing.We strive to allocate the right families into the right accommodation to ensure they have a smooth integration into their new communities within the UK.DLUHC have created a new Housing Portal to make it easier for councils to assess the suitability of properties prior to contacting landlords. Offers of property are triaged by DLUHC and sent directly to councils. We are also looking at ways to make more suitable homes available in the private rental sector by engaging with landlords, letting agencies and industry bodies to promote the housing portal and encourage participation in the resettlement programme. We are also working with the Estate Agent Rightmove to identify potential properties available in the private rental sector.Local Authorities continue to assist with helping families to integrate into communities upon their arrival to their permanent accommodation. We would also ask that Local Authorities who are not already part of the scheme to consider assisting in our efforts to resettle the Afghan people into permanent accommodation in the UK.There are no plans to publish targets for placing Afghans in permanent accommodation.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Building Safety Fund: West Ham

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2022 to Question 103515 on Building Safety Fund: Newham, for the 43 Building Safety Fund registrations submitted in relation to buildings in the West Ham constituency that remain under review, for how many days the earliest submitted such application has been under review.

Christopher Pincher: The Registration window for the Building Safety Fund closed in July 2020. There are 45 registrations from the West Ham constituency where eligibility for the fund has yet to be verified. 14 registrations have provided no information so we have been unable to assess their eligibility, further information is required for 10 registrations, and 21 are currently being reviewed. The Department does not hold the information for how long registrations have been at each stage.

Building Safety Fund: West Ham

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2022 to Question 103515 on Building Safety Fund: Newham, for what reason each of the 22 Building Safety Fund registrations submitted in relation to buildings in the West Ham constituency that have been found ineligible were found ineligible.

Christopher Pincher: Each of the 22 Building Safety Fund registrations were found ineligible as the wall systems and cladding materials on these buildings did not meet the definition of an unsafe cladding system defined in the technical eligibility criteria for the Building Safety Fund.

Urban Areas: Finance

Dr Kieran Mullan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to support town centres and high streets.

Neil O'Brien: This Government is fully committed to supporting the businesses and communities that make our high streets and town centres successful as the nation responds to the impacts of COVID-19. Our comprehensive package of around £400 billion of support has helped to safeguard jobs, businesses and public services in every region and nation of the UK. This package includes business grants, the coronavirus loan schemes, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, as well as deferral of income tax payments.  In addition, on 21 December 2021 the Chancellor announced further support of over £700 million in grant support for businesses most impacted by the Omicron variant, as part of an overall package of £1 billion to support businesses across the UK This business support builds upon a major package of investment to level up opportunity and prosperity across all areas of the country. This includes the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund, the £220 million UK-wide Community Renewal Fund and the £3.6 billion Towns Fund, which includes support for 101 Town Deals and 72 Future High Streets Fund projects Beyond this, we are providing support to local leadership with the High Streets Task Force. Over five years this is providing hands-on support to local areas to develop data-driven innovative strategies and to connect local areas to relevant experts. We will be announcing a further tranche of local authorities to receive in-person expert support from the Task Force in due course We need a modernised and agile planning system - one which benefits communities and creates places in which people can take real pride. That is why we have introduced reforms to the use class system to enable more flexible use of existing buildings. Additionally, Government recently introduced a new permitted development right which will allow more premises to change from a commercial, business or service use to residential use, so that much needed new homes can be created Reviving our high streets and town centres is essential to this Government's commitments to level up the country. Levelling up is a transformative agenda and the Department's priority is to produce a Levelling Up White Paper which matches our ambition, building on existing action we are already taking across Government and setting out a new policy regime that will drive change for years to come. The White Paper will be published shortly.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Northern Ireland

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he last had discussions with Northern Ireland government departments on the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the Shared Prosperity Fund; and what key areas and topics were the subject of those discussions.

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he brief hon. Members representing constituencies in Northern Ireland on the details of Shared Prosperity Fund and the aspects affecting Northern Ireland before its commencement.

Neil O'Brien: The UK Government will continue to engage the devolved administrations and local partners as we develop the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).The Government recognises the importance of reassuring local areas on the future of local growth funding and of providing clarity on the UKSPF.We also value the insight of stakeholders from different sectors and areas across the UK, which supports the development and delivery of the Fund.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, who will be responsible for administering the Shared Prosperity Fund in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.

Neil O'Brien: UK-wide funding for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) will ramp up to at least match receipts from EU structural funds, which on average reached around £1.5 billion per year. Spending Review 2021 fulfils this commitment, with the announcement of over £2.6 billion for the UKSPF over the next three years, with funding reaching £1.5 billion in 2024-25.The Government will publish further details on the Fund in due course.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Northern Ireland

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how much funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund will be allocated to Northern Ireland in 2022-23.

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is planning to take to report on (a) who the beneficiaries from the Shared Prosperity Fund in Northern Ireland are and (b) how much they have received.

Neil O'Brien: UK-wide funding for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will ramp up to at least match receipts from EU structural funds, which on average reached around £1.5 billion per year. Spending Review 2021 fulfils this commitment, with the announcement of over £2.6 billion for the UKSPF over the next three years, with funding reaching £1.5 billion in 2024-25.The Government will publish further details on the Fund in due course.

Elections: Fraud

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2022 to Question 100668 on Elections: Fraud, if he will publish the number of cases of (a) alleged and (b) confirmed voter fraud that were identified in 2020.

Neil O'Brien: The Electoral Commission works with police forces to collect data on the number of allegations and cases of electoral fraud and publishes the data on its website.

Children in Care

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to help ensure that funding for local government enables councils to have adequate resources to support a rise in child placements in statutory provision and foster care.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of on local authority funding to meet the demands of (a) child and (b) adult social care; and what steps is he taking to tackle any potential shortfall.

Neil O'Brien: The 2022/23 provisional Local Government Finance Settlement makes available an additional £3.5 billion to councils. This is an increase in local authority funding for 2022/23 of over 4% in real terms, which will ensure councils across the country have the resources they need to deliver key services, including Adult and Children's Social Care.Local authorities can make use of over £1 billion of additional resource specifically for social care in 2022/23. This includes:£636 million more into the Social Care Grant, including funding for equalisation against the 1% Adult Social Care precept;£63 million into the improved Better Care Fund, providing an inflationary uplift to support integrated working with the NHS, and;a 1% Adult Social Care precept and deferred flexibilities from last year's settlement.On top of this funding to address core pressures, £162 million in adult social care reform funding will be allocated in 2022/23 to support local authorities as they prepare their markets for adult social care reform and to help move towards paying a fair cost of care.

Local Government Finance: Wirral

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the impact of the reduction of local government financial support over the last 10 years on the provision of services and facilities by Wirral Council.

Neil O'Brien: The provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2022-23 makes available an additional £3.5 billion to councils, including funding for adult social care reform. This is an increase in local authority funding for 2022-23 of over 4% in real terms, which will ensure councils across the country have the resources they need to deliver key services.In total, we expect Core Spending Power to rise from £50.4 billion in 2021-22 to up to £53.9 billion in 2022-23.The Government is providing around £1.6 billion additional grant in 2022-23. This includes additional funding for Supporting Families and Cyber Resilience, which will be distributed outside of this Settlement.We are allocating most of that funding through the provisional Settlement, including through a one-off 2022-23 Services Grant, which gives local authorities an additional £822 million of funding for all services.Local authorities can also make use of over £1 billion of additional resource specifically for social care in 2022-23 For Wirral Council, this represents an increase in cash terms of up to 7.4% compared to last year, worth £21.8 million. This is above the average cash increase across England of 6.9%.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his oral contribution of 10 January 2022, Official Report column 283, what rights leaseholders who believe that unnecessary remediation work has been recommended for their building have to challenge an EWS1 assessment.

Christopher Pincher: An EWS1 assessment is as a valuation tool and is not a safety assessment. We have been clear that EWS1 should not be a requirement on buildings below 18 metres. We have withdrawn the Consolidated Advice Note which has been wrongly interpreted and ensure that it is not used to justify disproportionate assessment and unnecessary EWS1 forms.Where remediation of a building is recommended by an assessor, material supporting this conclusion should be transparent and there should be evidence that alternatives, such as management or mitigation, have been clearly considered. Leaseholders who wish to challenge proposed remediation works should ask their building owner if there is a clear reason why an EWS1 is needed, for example the block of flats over 18 metres high. If the building is lower, an expert panel commissioned by Government, has recommended that an EWS1 should not be needed, although some lenders may still request one. Leaseholders can ask whether costs can be met via warranty or insurance. Leaseholders can also ask the building owner to seek a second opinion from another fire risk assessor.For free initial advice on residential leasehold, leaseholders can contact LEASE, an organisation supported by government.

Buildings: Fire Prevention

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when the £27 million in extra funding for ending waking watches announced in Parliament on 10 January 2022 will become available to leaseholders; and whether buildings under between 11 and 18 metres in height will be able to access that funding.

Christopher Pincher: The additional £27 million funding scheme announced on 10 January 2022, on top of the existing £35 million already being provided, to pay for the installation of fire alarm systems in buildings with a waking watch, opened on 27 January 2022. It will cover all buildings in England with a waking watch regardless of height or the reason for the waking watch being in place.

Landlords: Databases

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many entries have been made on the rogue landlord database in England since that database was established (a) in total and (b) by each English local authority.

Eddie Hughes: To date, as of 26 January 2022, there have been 61 landlords and property agents listed on the Database of Rogue Landlords and Property Agents.These entries can be broken down by local authority as follows: Local authority Number of entriesAylesbury Vale District Council2Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council2Bournemouth Borough Council3Bristol City Council1London Borough of Camden10Cherwell District Council2Coventry City Council1Cornwall County Unitary Authority1Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council2Dover District Council1Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council1London Borough of Greenwich2Hinkley & Bosworth Borough Council3Liverpool City Council4Mid Sussex District Council2Oxford City Council2Plymouth City Council1Preston City Council1Reigate & Banstead Borough Council1Salford City Council4Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council1Stafford Borough Council1Stevenage Borough Council1Telford & Wrekin Council3Thurrock Council1Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council3Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council2Westminster City Council1Wirral Council1Wycombe District Council1

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Public Appointments

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department seeks references for candidates appointed to public positions which fall under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Iain Stewart: The Boundary Commission for Scotland is an independent body sponsored by the Scotland Office. All public appointments to the Boundary Commission for Scotland are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Governance Code on Public Appointments sets out that the Advisory Assessment Panel must satisfy itself that all candidates for appointment can meet the Seven Principles of Public Life and adhere to the Code of Conduct for board members of public bodies. All appointments to the Boundary Commission for Scotland are made using this code and this may include seeking references where appropriate.

Cabinet Office

UK Relations with EU

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants in his Department are working on matters to do with (a) the EU and (b) the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Michael Ellis: The EU Secretariat in Cabinet Office is responsible for UK-EU relations and implementation of the TCA. At full capacity, there are 86 members of staff. Additionally, the Cabinet Office employs 59 people in the NI Protocol Taskforce who work on related matters.

Cabinet Office: UN Convention on Biological Diversity

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff in his Department have been assigned to work on the Convention of Biological Diversity; and how many Ministers in his Department plan to attend the conference from 25 April to 8 May 2022.

Michael Ellis: The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity represents an historic opportunity to secure an agreement to ambitious global action over the next decade. The UK is committed to playing a leading role in developing an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework to be adopted at COP15. The COP is due to take place in Kunming, China, later this year; though, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we expect a delay to the planned dates of 25 April to 8 May. Minister Lord Goldsmith will head the UK delegation. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the lead department for the Convention on Biological Diversity, working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Cabinet Office. A core team is in place in DEFRA, drawing on expertise across DEFRA, its specialist arms-length bodies, working with other Government departments, civil society organisations and society at large. This includes working with the FCDO and our Posts across the diplomatic network, through which we are engaging host governments to support the delivery of our objectives. Nature is one of the key priorities in the UK’s COP26 Presidency, and so the Cabinet Office COP26 Unit is also supporting preparations for COP15 to ensure successful delivery of our COP26 objectives.

10 Downing Street

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason a civil servant rather than a judge is carrying out the inquiry into gatherings at 10 Downing Street during the covid-19 outbreak.

Michael Ellis: These investigations are being carried out by Sue Gray, Second Permanent Secretary. It is a fact finding investigation, and it is facts that will be presented to the Prime Minister. The investigation has been carried out by civil servants, who are bound by the Civil Service Code, including the values of impartiality and objectivity.

10 Downing Street: Taxis

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any vehicles were ordered on Downing Street's mini-cab account to take Downing Street staff to their homes or other locations between 8pm and 4am on the night of 16 April 2021.

Michael Ellis: In line with travel policy guidance, one journey took place in relation to an overnight shift worker travelling from Whitehall, having undertaken their staff duties. But otherwise, no such vehicles were ordered to take staff from Downing Street in this period.

10 Downing Street: Take-away Food

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether a Government procurement card was used by Downing Street staff to order deliveries of pizza with a value lower than £500 on the night of 16 April 2021.

Michael Ellis: No.

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: Public Appointments

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department seeks references for candidates appointed to public positions which fall under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Penny Mordaunt: The Department for International Trade has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Forced Labour: China

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure that no products imported into the UK have been manufactured from forced labour, either from Uyghur Muslim communities or other imprisoned groups, in China.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: HM Government has helped make sure that British businesses are not complicit in the violation of rights and responsibilities occurring in Xinjiang through their supply chains by requiring them to report openly on steps taken to tackle modern slavery. Under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, businesses with a turnover of £36 million or more which carry on a business (or part of a business) in the United Kingdom, wherever incorporated or formed, are required to publish annual modern slavery statements, setting out steps taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.

Department for International Trade: Aviation

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish the (a) dates and (b) outbound destinations for each occasion when (i) she or (ii) her predecessor travelled in (A) economy class, (B) business class, and (C) first class when using commercial flights to travel overseas on official business in (1) 2019, (2) 2020, and (3) 2021.

Penny Mordaunt: All flights and costs for travel are published in transparency returns on a quarterly basis.

Arms Trade: Export Controls

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and its ability to protect countries from violence and human rights abuses.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: HM Government announced the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria in a Written Statement on 8th December 2021 (HCWS449) and is satisfied that they provide a thorough risk assessment framework for assessing all export licence applications.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Tourism

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to promote and encourage domestic tourism in 2022.

Nigel Huddleston: Our Tourism Recovery Plan (TRP) sets out an ambition to recover domestic tourism to pre pandemic levels of 99 million overnight trips and spend of £19 billion by the end of 2022. We have been committed to supporting the sector to remain resilient and have already provided £37 billion to the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors in the form of grants, loans and tax breaks.The TRP also announced plans for a new rail pass, which we hope to launch this year, to help make it easier and more sustainable for domestic tourists to get around Scotland, England, and Wales.The Government has delivered a £10 million ‘Days Out’ campaign, in partnership with the British Tourist Authority and National Lottery, which has stimulated demand for more off-season day trips to tourist sites across the UK. The next phase of the campaign (launching 31 January) offers the opportunity to redeem £25 vouchers against February half term visits in the UK, supporting hundreds of attractions across all four nations.VisitEngland is launching the next phase of its domestic marketing campaign, Escape the Everyday, in February. The campaign will focus on cities as they are impacted by lower numbers of international visitors and it will target a ‘pre-nester’ audience (18-34 year olds), encouraging them to book a short city-break.2022 also promises a host of unmissable events, including Her Majesty’s Jubilee, with a programme of events over the extended Jubilee Bank holiday; Unboxed, which aims to engage millions of people through in person and digital events; as well as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will drive visitors to the region.

Football: Accountability

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans ​she has to help ensure greater accountability to football fans in relation to decisions made by the English Football League.

Nigel Huddleston: The Government understands the need for fans to have a say in football. That is why we have welcomed the Independent Fan Led Review of Football Governance and have endorsed in principle the primary recommendation of the review, that football requires a strong, independent regulator to secure the future of our national game.The Government is working at pace to review the report in full, including detailed consideration of the recommendations made on improving fan engagement and accountability across the game.The Government will continue to engage with stakeholders as we work towards issuing a full response to the report in the Spring.

Football: Safety

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will (a) discuss with the Premier League and the Football Association the experience of Newcastle United fans at Elland Road on 22 January 2022 when turnstiles stopped working and (b) help ensure steps are taken so that fans are not endangered by that situation again.

Nigel Huddleston: The Government continues to work closely with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA), clubs, governing bodies and local authorities to ensure that spectator safety remains paramount.The Government is concerned by reports of the incident at Elland Road. The ultimate responsibility for the safety of spectators lies at all times with the ground management, so the SGSA is engaging with Leeds United and the Local Authority to establish the facts and any implications for safety management arrangements at Elland Road and other SGSA licensed grounds.We welcome the statement from Leeds United, which indicates that they and their safety team will work closely with the Newcastle Supporters Trust, West Yorkshire Police to review the issues raised and ensure that a safe environment is provided for those attending the Elland Road Stadium.

Prime Minister

Inequalities in Health Alliance: Correspondence

Stephen Timms: To ask the Prime Minister, what plans he has to respond to the letter dated 15 September 2021 from the Inequalities in Health Alliance on a cross-Government strategy to tackle health inequality.

Boris Johnson: I answered the Hon. Member’s question on 2 December. My office has since been informed that a system error with Parliamentary systems meant that it was not published in the Official Record. My reply was as follows: ‘My Office has no record of receiving this letter.’ I have asked my Office to contact the organisation to see if they can re-send the correspondence, and ensure they have the correct address for any future correspondence.

Ukraine

Layla Moran: To ask the Prime Minister, when he last held a bilateral call with President Biden on the situation in Ukraine.

Boris Johnson: I held a virtual meeting on Monday 24 January with President Biden and the leaders of Italy, Poland, France, Germany, the European Council, the European Commission and NATO to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Further details can be found on the gov.uk website.